Question

australopithecus is an ape that lived in trees, but could walk on two feet. how might fossils from australopithecus provide evidence for evolution?

○ australopithecus is a fossil that is used to date other precambrian fossils.
○ australopithecus provides evidence of the existence of apes, but not humans.
○ australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.
○ australopithecus provides evidence that humans existed.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• First option: Australopithecus is not used to date Precambrian fossils (Precambrian is much older, and Australopithecus is related to human evolution, not Precambrian dating). Eliminate.
• Second option: Australopithecus is a transitional form that shows a link to human evolution (not just apes), so this is incorrect. Eliminate.
• Third option: Australopithecus had ape - like features (lived in trees) and human - like features (walked on two feet), making it a transitional form between apes and humans. This fits with evolution evidence.
• Fourth option: Australopithecus is an ancestor - like form, not direct evidence that humans existed (humans came later in evolution from such transitional forms). Eliminate.

Answer:

C. Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.