1. Reasons for rise of Australopithecines

The term Australopiths (or Australopithecines) refers mainly to any species related to the Australopithecus and "Paranthropus" genus, bodies of species closely related to the "Homo" genus found mainly in eastern, central, and southern Africa during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs and considered a major stepping stone in evolution towards humans. [[1]]

The major characteristic of Australopiths that led to their rise was bipedal movement and primitive use of brain. During the Pliocene epoch, when the first hominids arose, the tropical jungles and forests began to shrink, forcing populations of weak primates onto the open savannah. In the savannah the primates needed to defend themselves. The species who survived had to be flexible and innovative in their behavior, which later stood out in natural selection. Without natural defenses such as claws or jaws, the Australopiths turned to using aggressive movements with their hands like throwing rocks. However, accurate and effective throwing requires an opposable grip and a bipedal stance. The bipedalism freed hands and allowed the Australopiths to access underground food, walk long distances, and carry food effectively. Therefore, Australopithecines thrived for a notable period of time. As such, the environment honed the primates into bipedal hominids. [[2]]

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LM 22-23

Author: Linda Yu

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