What diet is associated with the genus Australopithecus?

The diet most closely associated with the genus Australopithecus is that of scavengers. Australopithecus existed during a time when resources were competitive, and their physical adaptations suggest they would have exploited available food sources, including those left behind by other predators. Their dental morphology indicates a diet that could include tough plant materials, seeds, and possibly some animal matter.

While they may have scavenged for meat, they primarily relied on a variety of food sources. This scavenging behavior is evidenced by their size and the types of teeth they possessed, which were suitable for processing both plant and animal materials. Thus, their adaptability in diet positions them as opportunistic feeders rather than strictly herbivores or predatory animals.