Final answer:
Robust Australopithecines, such as species of the genus Paranthropus, had prominent sagittal crests for large jaw muscles, very large molars compared to their small front teeth, and flatter faces due to decreased jaw projection to support a diet of tough plant materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristic Dental Traits of Robust Australopithecines
The robust Australopithecines, including species such as Paranthropus robustus, P. boisei, and P. aethiopicus, possessed several distinct characteristic dental traits. These traits supported their diet, which primarily consisted of tough plant materials. Unlike the gracile Australopithecines.
- The robust australopithecines exhibited a sagittal crest on their skulls, which served as an anchor for large temporalis muscles necessary for powerful chewing.
- They had small front teeth (canines and incisors) when compared to their very large molars, which were used to grind fibrous plant matter.
- The robust species tended to have flatter faces due to the decreased projection of the jaw, as their larger molars and diminished canines did not require as much vertical space.
These adaptations are evident in fossil records and demonstrate that the robust Australopithecines were well-equipped to consume a diet predominantly consisting of coarse and fibrous vegetation. This differs substantially from their gracile counterparts, who had teeth suited for softer foods.