步氏巨猿犬齿与前臼齿咬合关系的观察

步氏巨猿的上犬齿与下第一前臼齿的咬合关系有两种主要类型:一是相似于“猿类”的,另一相似于“人类”的。前者为雄性个体所具有,后者为雌性个体所具有。另有少数个体的则是中间类型。上犬齿与下第一前臼齿的咬合特征的分类学上的意义是可疑的。至少就绝大部分雄性步氏巨猿个体来说,很难认为其犬齿是参与臼齿的功能。步氏巨猿下第一前臼齿之所以呈双尖类型,与其犬齿并无直接的关系。

OCCLUSAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CANINE AND PREMOLAR OF GIGANTOPITHECUS BLACKI

Based on an observation on the wear of 45 P3S and 19 C's, three patterns could be classified in occlusal relationships between C' and P3 of Gigantopithecus blacki: "homi-nid", "pongid" and intermediate. The "hominid" and "pongid" patterns could be seen in most cases (44% and 42% respectively as shown in P3s) and were suggested to be due to female and male sexes. The intermediate pattern was found in a few cases including both sexes. It would therefore seem improper to use the occlusal relationships for taxonomic purpose without taking sex into account. The male canines do not wear down flat from the tip of the crown. Their shearing against the P3 can be maintained with age. It seems to be questionable that the canines of Gigantopithecus were used for grinding. In addition, the observation showed that the appearance of bicusps in P3 was not directly related to the reduction of canine for Gigantopithecus.