Homo habilis is thought to be a descendant of which earlier hominid species?

Homo habilis is considered a descendant of Australopithecus afarensis, which provides critical insights into the evolutionary lineage of early hominins. Australopithecus afarensis, known for its many fossil finds such as the famous "Lucy," represents a transitional form that showcases adaptations for bipedalism and some traits that foreshadow later Homo species.

The significance of Homo habilis, often credited as one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, lies in its increased brain size and tool-use capabilities compared to Australopithecus species. These adaptations are thought to indicate a significant step towards more complex behavior and cognitive abilities, hallmarks of the Homo genus. This connection emphasizes how evolutionary modifications in physical traits, such as brain size and body structure, reflect the species' adaptations to their environments and lifestyles, ultimately leading to more advanced hominins.

In considering the other options, Paranthropus boisei is an evolutionary offshoot with specialized adaptations for heavy chewing, which does not directly lead into the genus Homo. Australopithecus africanus, while a contemporary of Australopithecus afarensis, represents another lineage within the Australopithecus genus and shows distinct traits that differ from the eventual evolutionary path taken by Homo