Chipping and wear patterns in extant primate and fossil hominin molars: ‘Functional’ cusps are associated with extensive wear but low levels of fracture

Towle, Ian; Loch, Carolina; Irish, Joel D.; Veneziano, Alessio; Ito, Tsuyoshi

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102923

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Similar to the Liberian chimpanzees, the South African P. robustus exhibit high cusp wear scores that are similar between “multi‐phase‐cusps” and “single‐phase‐cusps,” while other extant and extinct primate species have a larger wear gradient between the cusp groups (Towle, Loch, et al, 2021). Microwear studies of P. robustus have found indications for the consumption of hard food items (Constantino et al, 2018; Ungar et al, 2008) while others have related these patterns to an increased consumption of dust/grit as a result of increased aridity in the environment (Lee‐Thorp et al, 2007; Reed, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previously, it was shown for humans and several non‐human primate groups that “multi‐phase‐cusps” of upper (protocone, hypocone) and lower molars (protoconid, hypoconid, hypoconulid) wear more rapidly than “single‐phase‐cusps” (paracone, metacone, metaconid, entoconid) (Macho & Berner, 1993; Schwartz, 2000; Töpfer, 2008; Towle, Loch, et al, 2021). Similarly, we found for the Taï chimpanzees that “multi‐phase‐cusps” wear faster than “single‐phase‐cusps.” These cusp wear patterns are in concordance with the known feeding ecology of the Taï chimpanzees.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variability in molar crown morphology and cusp wear in two Western chimpanzee populations

Stuhlträger

Kullmer

Wittig

et al. 2023

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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Objectives Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) possess a relatively generalized molar morphology allowing them to access a wide range of foods. Comparisons of crown and cusp morphology among the four subspecies have suggested relatively large intraspecific variability. Here, we compare molar crown traits and cusp wear of two geographically close populations of Western chimpanzees, P. t. verus, to provide further information on intraspecific dental variability. Materials and Methods Micro‐CT reconstructions of high‐resolution replicas of first and second molars of two Western chimpanzee populations from Ivory Coast (Taï National Park) and Liberia, respectively were used for this study. First, we analyzed projected tooth and cusp 2D areas as well as the occurrence of cusp six (C6) on lower molars. Second, we quantified the molar cusp wear three‐dimensionally to infer how the individual cusps alter with advancing wear. Results Both populations are similar in their molar crown morphology, except for a higher appearance rate of a C6 in Taï chimpanzees. In Taï chimpanzees, lingual cusps of upper molars and buccal cusps of lower molars possess an advanced wear pattern compared to the remaining cusps, while in Liberian chimpanzees this wear gradient is less pronounced. Discussion The similar crown morphology between both populations fits with previous descriptions for Western chimpanzees and provides additional data on dental variation within this subspecies. The wear pattern of the Taï chimpanzees are in concordance with their observed tool rather than tooth use to open nuts/seeds, while the Liberian chimpanzees may have consumed hard food items crushed between their molars.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability in molar crown morphology and cusp wear in two Western chimpanzee populations

Stuhlträger

Kullmer

Wittig

et al. 2023

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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“…The available evidence suggests Archaeolemur had an omnivorous diet consisting of fruits, plants, vertebrates and potentially crustaceans (e.g., Burney et al, 1997;Crowley & Godfrey, 2019;Dumont et al, 2011;King et al, 2001;Schwartz et al, 2002;Vasey et al, 2012). This diet required substantial processing using the ante- (Hogg & Walker, 2011;Maas & Dumont, 1999;Towle et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are other limitations with the present study. Tooth chipping occurrence and patterns across the dentition are influenced by a species' morphology and dental tissue properties, and therefore different primates may have different susceptibility to chipping (Hogg & Walker, 2011 ; Maas & Dumont, 1999 ; Towle et al, 2020 ). Further research is needed to take such factors into account.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior

Towle

Constantino

Borths

et al. 2022

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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Objectives: Archaeolemur is a recently extinct genus of lemur that is often compared to some Cercopithecidae, especially baboons. This is due in part to their derived dentition, with large anterior teeth and reduced bilophodont molars. Research involving comparative morphology, analysis of coprolites, isotopes, and enamel structure, have suggested Archaeolemur had an omnivorous diet involving mechanically challenging items. Yet, microwear analysis of posterior teeth does not necessarily support this conclusion. Materials and Methods:In this macroscopic study, dental chipping was recorded on permanent teeth of Archaeolemur from different localities (53 individuals; 447 permanent teeth; including both A. edwardsi and A. majori specimens). This study aimed to compare chipping patterns across the dentition of Archaeolemur with chipping in other primates. Results:The results show enamel chipping was prevalent on the anterior teeth of Archaeolemur (38.9% of anterior teeth showed at least one fracture) yet rare in posterior teeth (9%). There was a decrease in chipping frequency across the dentition, moving distally from incisors (50%; 20/40), through caniniform teeth (30%; 15/50), premolars (9.5%; 16/169), and molars (8.5%; 16/188).Discussion: The results support previous research suggesting Archaeolemur had a varied omnivorous diet in which the anterior dentition was used for extensive food processing. This likely included mechanically challenging items such as tough/hard large fruits, small vertebrates, and crustaceans. Such a high rate of chipping in the anterior dentition is uncommon in other primates, with exception of hominins.

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“…Hard object-feeding primates have a high chipping prevalence (Towle and Loch, 2021). Extant apes, gorillas, gibbons and chimpanzees have relatively low frequencies of chipping, especially compared to orangutans (Constantino et al, 2012; Towle et al 2021), likely due to orangutans’ proclivity for large seeds and nuts (Galdikas, 1982; Vogel et al, 2008; Lucas et al, 2012). Species considered to be hard object feeding specialists have a chipping prevalence >25%, with diets of sooty mangabeys, mandrills, sakis and Raffles’ banded langur containing significant amounts of hard foods (e.g., durophagy; Kinzey & Norconk, 1993; Fleagle & McGraw, 1999; McGraw et al, 2011; Pampush et al, 2013; Fannin et al, 2020; vanCasteren et al, 2020; Davies and Bennett, 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tooth chipping patterns inParanthropusdo not support regular hard food mastication

Towle

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The paranthropines, including Paranthropus boisei and Paranthropus robustus, have often been considered hard-food specialists. The large post-canine teeth, thick enamel, and robust craniofacial features are often suggested to have evolved to cope with habitual mastication of hard foods. Yet, direct evidence for Paranthropus feeding behaviour often challenges these morphological interpretations. The main exception being antemortem tooth chipping which is still regularly used as evidence of habitual mastication of hard foods in this genus. In this study, data were compiled from the literature for six hominin species (including P. boisei and P. robustus) and 17 extant primate species, to analyse Paranthropus chipping patterns in a broad comparative framework. Severity of fractures, position on the dentition, and overall prevalence were compared among species. The results indicate that both Paranthropus species had a lower prevalence of tooth fractures compared to other fossil hominin species (P. boisei: 4%; P. robustus: 11%; Homo naledi: 37%; Australopithecus africanus: 17%; Homo neanderthalensis: 45%; Epipalaeolithic Homo sapiens: 29%); instead, their frequencies are similar to apes that masticate hard items in a non-regular frequency, including chimpanzees, gibbons, and gorillas (4%, 7% and 9% respectively). The prevalence is several times lower than in extant primates known to habitually consume hard items, such as sakis, mandrills, and sooty mangabeys (ranging from 28% to 48%). Comparative chipping analysis suggests that both Paranthropus species were unlikely habitual hard object eaters, at least compared to living durophage analogues.

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Chipping and wear patterns in extant primate and fossil hominin molars: ‘Functional’ cusps are associated with extensive wear but low levels of fracture

Cited by 15 publications

References 90 publications

Variability in molar crown morphology and cusp wear in two Western chimpanzee populations

Variability in molar crown morphology and cusp wear in two Western chimpanzee populations

Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior

Tooth chipping patterns inParanthropusdo not support regular hard food mastication

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