Analysis of Megadontia in Hominins
نویسنده
چکیده
Introduction Hominin teeth are important for telling us about the dietary strategy of these extinct species. In particular, the degree of megadontia allows inferences into how mechanically demanding a diet was. Extremely large molars with molarized premolars are an indication of an extremely demanding diet, consisting of hard objects. In contrast, small molars in comparison to the incisors indicate a softer diet (Wood and Collard, 1999). An abundance of teeth in the fossil record enables a comprehensive analysis of the dentition in nearly all hominin species.
منابع مشابه
Functional morphology, stable isotopes, and human evolution: a model of consilience.
Foraging is constrained by the energy within resources and the mechanics of acquisition and assimilation. Thick molar enamel, a character trait differentiating hominins from African apes, is predicted to mitigate the mechanical costs of chewing obdurate foods. The classic expression of hyperthick enamel together with relatively massive molars, termed megadontia, is most evident in Paranthropus,...
متن کاملHard-Object Feeding in Sooty Mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) and Interpretation of Early Hominin Feeding Ecology
Morphology of the dentofacial complex of early hominins has figured prominently in the inference of their dietary adaptations. Recent theoretical analysis of craniofacial morphology of Australopithecus africanus proposes that skull form in this taxon represents adaptation to feeding on large, hard objects. A modern analog for this specific dietary specialization is provided by the West African ...
متن کاملThe Laetoli footprints and early hominin locomotor kinematics.
A critical question in human evolution is whether the earliest bipeds walked with a bent-hip, bent-knee gait or on more extended hindlimbs. The differences between these gaits are not trivial, because the adoption of either has important implications for the evolution of bipedalism. In this study, we re-examined the Laetoli footprints to determine whether they can provide information on the loc...
متن کاملExpert cognition in the production sequence of Acheulian cleavers at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel: A lithic and cognitive analysis
Stone cleavers are one of the most distinctive components of the Acheulian toolkit. These tools were produced as part of a long and complex reduction sequence and they provide indications for planning and remarkable knapping skill. These aspects hold implications regarding the cognitive complexity and abilities of their makers and users. In this study we have analyzed a cleaver assemblage origi...
متن کاملLocomotor anatomy and biomechanics of the Dmanisi hominins.
The Dmanisi hominins inhabited a northern temperate habitat in the southern Caucasus, approximately 1.8 million years ago. This is the oldest population of hominins known outside of Africa. Understanding the set of anatomical and behavioral traits that equipped this population to exploit their seasonal habitat successfully may shed light on the selection pressures shaping early members of the g...
متن کامل