Question

This question may be completed independently or as a group exercise. During a period of almost a million years, Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis lived in the same region of East Africa. If these species shared a habitat, how did they not outcompete one another? (Hint: Think about their possible ecologies and adaptations.)

Answer 1

It is likely that Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis did not outcompete one another because they occupied different niches in their shared habitat and had different adaptations that allowed them to use different resources.