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The presence of very large molars and a sagittal crest on top of the skull, such as that found in the fossils in the Paranthropus genus (robust Australopithecines) and in gorillas, is evidence of...

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Final answer:

Large molars and a sagittal crest in the Paranthropus genus indicate an adaptation for a tough plant-based diet, supported by large jaw muscles anchored by the crest.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of very large molars and a sagittal crest on top of the skull, such as that found in the fossils of the Paranthropus genus and in gorillas, is evidence of an adaptation for chewing tough plant materials. The sagittal crest in robust australopithecines, like Paranthropus robustus, provided the necessary anchor points for large temporalis muscles which are essential for processing a diet consisting largely of hard nuts and seeds. The robust australopithecines, which included species like Paranthropus robustus, Paranthropus boisei, and Paranthropus aethiopicus, had distinctive dental and skull features to accommodate their coarse and fibrous vegetarian diet, contrasting with the partially carnivorous diet of the gracile australopithecines.

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