Final Answer:
Compared to chimpanzees, australopithecines have larger molars.
Option C is the answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Australopithecines are hominins that existed between 2 and 4 million years ago. One of the key dental differences between australopithecines and chimpanzees is the size of their molars. Australopithecines, such as the famous "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis), exhibit larger molars compared to chimpanzees. This dental adaptation is associated with changes in diet and is thought to reflect the consumption of a tougher, more fibrous plant-based diet.
Options A, B, and E are traits commonly associated with chimpanzees rather than australopithecines. Grasping big toes and larger canines are characteristic of chimpanzees, and a taller, narrower pelvis is a feature associated with bipedalism and is more typical of hominins like australopithecines. Option D, smaller brains, is not a distinguishing feature, as both chimpanzees and australopithecines had relatively small brain sizes.
Option C is the answer.