Which of the following best describes the teeth of H. habilis?

The teeth of Homo habilis are characterized by a smaller chewing complex compared to the australopiths. This is significant because it reflects changes in diet and feeding behavior associated with the evolution of early hominins.

Homo habilis had smaller, less robust teeth and jaws than their australopith predecessors, which suggests a shift towards a diet that included more varied and possibly softer foods. This change may indicate an adaptation to changing environments and dietary strategies that did not require the same heavy chewing capabilities as those seen in australopiths, who had larger molars and premolars suited for grinding tough plant material.

In essence, the smaller chewing complex in H. habilis highlights both an evolutionary adaptation in dental morphology and potential lifestyle changes that differ from earlier hominins.