Final answer:
The 'robust australopithecines,' classified as genus Paranthropus, differed from other hominins with their huge teeth, faces, jaws, and jaw muscles, adapted for a vegetarian diet with heavy mastication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinctive Features of Genus Paranthropus
The "robust australopithecines," now classified in the genus Paranthropus, are distinctive compared to other hominins due to their huge teeth, faces, jaws, and jaw muscles. These hominids were known for their powerful masticatory structures, as evidenced by features such as large molars and a prominent sagittal crest, indicating strong temporalis muscles for chewing tough plant materials. Unlike their australopithecin relatives that had a diet with some animal protein, the Paranthropus genus was largely adapted to a coarse and fibrous vegetarian diet, reflected in the heavy wear found on their molars. These adaptations make them an evolutionary side branch that eventually went extinct and did not lead to modern humans.