Final answer:
Evidence suggests that Homo erectus was the first truly predatory hominid species due to its use of tools, adaptions for a carnivorous diet, and evidence of fire use to cook meat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question focuses on identifying which hominid species was the first truly predatory one. Among the options are Homo habilis (a), Australopithecus africanus (b), Homo erectus (c), and Paranthropus robustus (d). Based on fossil evidence and anthropological research, Homo erectus is generally recognized as the first species within the genus Homo to exhibit clear evidence of hunting behaviors, which is an indicator of predatory lifestyle.
Homo habilis is known to have used stone tools and may have scavenged meat, but there is not as much evidence of hunting behavior as seen with Homo erectus. Homo erectus also showed adaptations that suggest a more carnivorous diet, such as changes in teeth and jaw structure, and use of fire, which likely helped in the cooking of meat. Artifacts associate with Homo erectus, such as ancient hearths and charred animal bones, indicate that this species was the first to use fire to cook food, an ability closely associated with predation.
Therefore, evidence indicates that Homo erectus (c) was the first truly predatory hominid species.