Final answer:
Homo habilis had several evolutionary advantages such as a larger brain, improved hand dexterity for tool use, and anatomical changes conducive to a varied diet. These adaptations likely contributed to their success over australopithecines, who went extinct due to less adaptability. Tool use by H. habilis marks a significant development in early human technology and adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the evolutionary advantages of Homo habilis over australopithecines and the significance of tool use in their anatomy and diet. One advantage Homo habilis had over australopithecines was a larger brain capacity, which is associated with complex behaviors such as tool making. The anatomy of H. habilis, including humanlike feet and hand bones, facilitated better manipulation of objects, marking an important leap in hominin dexterity. The smaller teeth and jaws of H. habilis point towards a change in diet, likely including more meat, which could be processed with the use of tools. The Oldowan tool industry, associated with H. habilis, reflects this significant evolution in tool use, possibly indicating more advanced hunting and scavenging strategies.
While the phylogenetic relationship between H. habilis and other Homo species, such as H. rudolfensis, is still debated, H. habilis represents a major step in human evolution with its enhanced cognitive abilities and adaptations for tool-making. These adaptations were likely advantageous in a shifting environment and may explain why australopithecines, like the genus Paranthropus, went extinct. They were less adaptable to dietary changes and environmental stresses that early Homo species managed to navigate. Therefore, the evidence of tool use by H. habilis and changes in anatomy, especially in the development of precision grip, are significant indicators of human evolution.