What is a characteristic of H. habilis in comparison to Australopiths?

In comparing Homo habilis to Australopiths, one of the defining characteristics is the smaller chewing complex in H. habilis. This species typically exhibits a reduction in the size of the teeth and jaw compared to its Australopith predecessors, which had larger, more robust chewing apparatuses adapted for processing tough, fibrous plant materials. This dental and jaw structure in H. habilis suggests a dietary shift, possibly towards a broader range that included more varied foods, including those that required less heavy chewing, leading to changes in both anatomy and behavior.

The other characteristics mentioned do not align accurately with the distinctions between these two groups. For example, Homo habilis is noted for its larger brain size compared to Australopiths, which reflects an evolutionary trend towards increased cognitive abilities; it also is recognized for utilizing more sophisticated tools than Australopiths, particularly the Oldowan tool culture. Furthermore, while greater social organization could be hypothesized for H. habilis based on brain size and tool use, the evidence for social structures is less clear in the fossil record, making it a less definitive characteristic for this comparison.