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Evolutionary Implications
Increased postcanine size can be correlated with the evolution of other physiological traits . Inverse trends of brain enlargement and molar size point to diet and food processing as a linking factor; encephalization is a crucial consideration in the development of tool usage and extraoral food processing that was observed in Homo species, but not in Australopithecines. Post canine enlargement has also been significantly positively correlated with basal metabolic rate, independently of body size. Larger primates tend to need larger teeth to process more food to meet the energy requirements of a larger body, however the evolution of postcanine megadontia is more likely due to the quality of the diet. The tough, “low quality” foodstuff consumed by robust Australopithecines coupled with their lack of food processing technology, lead to an enlargement of the occlusal surface of the molars