What are australopithecines known for?

Australopithecines are known for being some of the earliest hominins, living between approximately 4 million and 2 million years ago in Africa. They are significant for their bipedal locomotion, which indicates a crucial step in human evolution, as well as their small brain size compared to modern humans. Fossils like "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis) provide important insights into their anatomy and behavior, highlighting a mix of ape-like and human-like traits. Their ability to adapt to various environments laid the groundwork for the eventual emergence of the genus Homo.