沂源人牙冠的几何形态学研究

采用形态测量分析方法对上世纪80年代发现于山东沂源的6枚人类牙齿化石齿冠外轮廓形状进行了研究, 并与亚洲直立人、早期智人、晚期智人、南方古猿、非洲早期人属以及现代人进行了对比。本文发现:沂源人既保留了部分原始特征, 也表现出许多进步特征。颊侧尖基底轮廓原始特征主要表现在P3和P4近似蚕豆形的外轮廓及M1近中轮廓线的平直; 进步特征主要体现在: P3向近远中方向的明显扩展、颊侧尖向颊侧的突出程度减弱,P4外轮廓形状处于现代人分布范围的边缘,M1前后尖比例增大, M1颊侧外轮廓的圆隆以及下后尖的相对内缩等。中国更新世的古人类牙齿表现出很多一致性, 直立人和早期智人在牙齿齿冠轮廓形状上没有明显的差异, 沂源人也体现出了与这些古人类的一致性, 但是在这一组标本中, 沂源人齿冠形状处于比较进步的一端。此外,沂源人上、下M1的颊舌径非常大,这一特殊性状可能具有进化意义。     

中国近代人群上颌前臼齿釉质-齿质连接面形状的三维几何形态测量

牙齿的釉质-齿质连接面(EDJ或Enamel-dentine junction)是釉质表面(OES或Outer enamel surface)形态的发生基础,其形态特征在牙齿发育早期形成,与遗传因素密切相关。为探讨EDJ形状在近代人群中的变异特点,本文使用显微断层扫描技术(micro-CT或micro-computed tomography)扫描了100例采自华中地区近代农业人群的上颌前臼齿(P~3和P~4各50例),并复原了EDJ表面三维结构。采用基于30个标志点(landmark)和半标志点(semi-landmark)的三维几何形态测量量化了上颌前臼齿EDJ表面形状。结果显示,牙齿内部舌侧尖区域变异程度较颊侧尖大。在人群内部,上颌前臼齿的变异方式主要表现在1)颊舌尖相互靠近或远离造成的咬合面深浅的差别;2)颊舌尖齿质最高点(dentine horn)相对高度的差异;3)舌侧尖近远中方向尺寸的变化;4)P~3颊侧尖近中脊的内收与外扩造成的整个轮廓形状的对称性变化;5)P~4整个咬合面轮廓MD/BL比值的大小差别。基于以上发现,本文进一步探讨了上颌前臼齿EDJ形状在两性或不同时代标本之间是否存在差异。平均形状的比较发现男性上颌前臼齿的舌尖相对较宽,颊侧尖近中脊相对较低。但主成分分析(Principal component analysis)和置换检验(Permutation test)显示两性差异未达到显著水平。同样,从新石器时代以来的各样本组之间在EDJ形状上的差别也没有达到统计上的显著水平。这一结果提示中国近代人群上颌前臼齿EDJ表面形状的变异特点至少可以追溯到全新世早期(本文使用标本最早来自距今6000-7000年前的新石器时代阶段)。未来EDJ的三维几何形态测量可通过扩大标本数量进一步探讨不同性别、不同地区人群、不同演化阶段之间的差异。     

新发现的和县直立人牙齿化石

本文对一颗新发现的安徽和县直立人上第三前臼齿的尺寸、形态特征、齿冠外轮廓形状和齿尖排列样式进行了观测, 并与世界范围内相关古人类标本进行了对比。结果发现, 新发现的和县直立人P3齿冠尺寸较大, 同一地点还发现了另外一颗尺寸较大的P3, 两颗牙齿基本是目前发现的中国直立人和早期智人标本中齿冠尺寸最大的, 显示其较为原始的一面。在齿冠外轮廓形状和齿尖排列样式上, 新发现的和县直立人标本表现出与世界各地其他直立人的一致性, 但齿冠颊侧面显著发育的近中纵向沟将这颗牙齿归入到了亚洲直立人的变异范围内, 与非洲和Dmanisi直立人区别。中国直立人P3在齿冠尺寸、横脊发育与否、颊侧面近远中纵向沟发育程度、齿根数目、齿冠外轮廓形状和齿尖排列样式这些在人类演化过程中具有明显演化变化趋势的特征上表现出较大的变异, 和县这颗牙齿处于中国直立人总体变异范围内较原始的一侧。与周口店直立人相比,新发现的和县直立人标本和同一地点发现的另一颗P3部分形态特征较原始, 这与和县人头骨形态特征相对周口店直立人进步的趋势相反。新发现的这颗牙齿及其他和县直立人化石对探讨东亚地区直立人的起源和地区性差异具有重要意义。     

全新世中国北方人群第一臼齿齿冠面积和齿尖相对面积的测量分析

通过对532枚中国北方地区新石器时代到青铜时代和铁器时代人类上、下颌骨第一臼齿(M1和M1)齿冠面积和齿尖面积的测量和分析, 得到以下关于中国北方近代人群牙齿尺寸的准确数据和变异情况的结果: 两性M1和M1齿冠面积存在显著性差异, 男性齿冠面积大于女性齿冠面积, 齿尖相对面积不存在性别差异; 从新石器时代到青铜时代男性M1和M1分别缩小了1.16%和4.96%, 女性分别缩小了5.68%和6.11%,青铜时代到铁器时代齿冠面积无明显变化; M1颊侧尖相对基底面积大于舌侧尖, 形成齿尖大小差异的原因很可能是在人类演化过程中, 齿冠面积整体缩小的趋势下, 为使咬合面最大化使用, 各齿尖朝着更利于扩大咬合面基底面积的方式进化的结果; 世界各地区近代人群M1和M1各齿尖大小顺序基本一致, 其中M1为原尖>前尖>后尖>次尖, M1下原尖最大, 下次小尖最小, 其他三个齿尖面积非常接近, 不存在明显大小变化。     

内蒙古依和苏布晚始新世兔形类(英文)

记述了内蒙古自治区脑木根乡附近依和苏布地点产出的 4种兔形类上下颊齿化石。依和苏布位于脑木根乡东南约 1 8km处 ,乌兰希热平台北缘 ,地理坐标为N42°36.1 1 4′,E1 1 1°34.5 96′。依据化石组合 ,该点地层年代初步定为晚始新世。 4种兔形类分别是 :Gobiolagusmajor、Hypsimylusyihesubuensissp .nov.、Desmatolaguscf.D .vetustus以及Desmatolagussp .。新发现的Gobiolagusmajor下颊齿和该种产自沙拉木伦地区乌兰戈楚层的正型标本(AMNH 2 60 98)在大小和形态上很相似 :齿冠较低 ,侧沟不伸入齿槽 ,三角座唇侧较舌侧短 ;m2跟座明显大于m1跟座 ;舌侧有釉质脊连接三角座和跟座。根据个体大小和相对低冠的颊齿 ,我们将一块带P3～M2的上颌骨归入Gobiolagusmajor,成为该种上臼齿的首次记录。上颌骨腭面门齿孔后缘与P3前缘齐 ,硬腭后缘止于M1与M2间位置 ,无前臼齿孔。P3～M2均具三齿根 ,唇侧两齿根小。P4非臼齿化 ,前后脊完全 ,封闭一V形新月谷。M1嚼面椭圆状 ,舌侧内沟短浅。后脊与舌侧的磨蚀面相连 ,其前方的横向谷应为三角座凹。前、后脊唇侧端应分别相当于前、后尖。Hypsimylusyihesubuensissp .nov .是继北京长辛店北京种后该属的第 2个记录。新种较H .beijingensis大 ,齿冠较低 ,m1较宽。下颊齿高冠     

豫鼠化石在我国阿尔金地区的发现（英文）

记述了在新疆巴音郭楞蒙古自治州若羌县阿尔金山地区彩虹沟首次发现的豫鼠一新种:阿尔金豫鼠(Yuomys altunensis sp.nov.)。其主要特征是臼齿的尺寸较大,比例上较宽,齿冠较高,臼齿的后小尖与后尖明显分开,后脊相对较长,但不完全,次尖明显小于原尖,舌侧内凹伸达臼齿齿冠基部,后齿带与后尖舌侧连;M3后尖为新月形,后齿带较短等。根据豫鼠臼齿的进化趋势和新种臼齿的尺寸较大、齿冠较高和舌侧内凹伸达齿冠基部的特征与Y.cavioides,Y.eleganes和Y.huangzhuangensis相近,但颊齿比例较宽判断,Y.altunensis可能与该3种处于同样的进化阶段或稍进步。其产出的地层时代很可能与它们相近或稍晚,即为晚中始新世或稍晚。     

豫鼠化石在我国阿尔金地区的发现

记述了在新疆巴音郭楞蒙古族自治州若羌县阿尔金山地区彩虹沟首次发现的豫鼠一新种:阿尔金豫鼠(Yuomys altunensis sp.nov.).其主要特征是臼齿的尺寸较大,比例上较宽,齿冠较高,臼齿的后小尖与后尖明显分开,后脊相对较长,但不完全,次尖明显小于原尖,舌侧内凹伸达臼齿齿冠基部,后齿带与后尖舌侧连;M3后尖为新月形,后齿带较短等.根据豫鼠臼齿的进化趋势和新种臼齿的尺寸较大、齿冠较高和舌侧内凹伸达齿冠基部的特征与Y.cavioides,Y.eleganes和Y.huangzhuangensis相近,但颊齿比例较宽判断,Y.altunensis可能与该3种处于同样的进化阶段或稍进步.其产出的地层时代很可能与它们相近或稍晚,即为晚中始新世或稍晚.     

中国人牙齿形态测量分析——华北近代人群臼齿齿冠及齿尖面积

本文采用数字摄影和图像分析技术对华北新石器时代人类上、下颌臼齿齿冠及齿尖基底面积进行了精确测量。在此基础上, 计算了相对齿尖基底面积。结果显示: 近代华北人上颌各臼齿齿尖大小均呈原尖>前尖>后尖>次尖的顺序, 下颌三个臼齿齿尖大小面积顺序有所不同; 上颌的后尖和次尖呈现异速生长的趋势。各臼齿齿尖相对面积的总体变异呈下颌臼齿大于上颌臼齿、M1到M3依次增加、靠近远中侧的齿尖大于近中侧的齿尖的趋势。本文首次对现代中国人臼齿相对齿尖面积进行了调查统计, 为古人类学及体质人类学研究积累了基础性数据。本研究显示利用数字摄影和图像分析技术对包括臼齿齿冠和齿尖面积在内的非线性特征进行精确的定量分析较传统的测量方法具有明显的优越性, 在古人类学和体质人类学研究中有广泛的应用前景。     

内蒙古阿左旗乌兰塔塔尔早渐新世鬣齿兽化石

记述了在内蒙古阿左旗乌兰塔塔尔早渐新世乌兰塔塔尔组中发现的鬣齿兽一新种——内蒙古鬣齿兽(Hyaenodon neimongoliensis sp．nov．)。新种在大小和特征上与Hyaenodonpervagus相近或相似,但它的pl为单齿根,前面的下前臼齿之间有齿隙,下颊齿无舌侧齿带。     

食虫类和翼手类化石在内蒙古上始新统首次发现

描述了2种食虫类化石(Anatolechinos neimongolensis gen.et sp.nov.,Ictopidium lechei),1刺猬科(属、种未定)(Erinaceidae gen.et sp.indet.)和2类属、种未定的蝙蝠化石(Microchirop- tera gen.et sp.indet.A和B)。Anatolechinos gen.nov.的主要特点是:个体较小;具pl/1;颊齿齿冠低,主齿尖低钝;P3-M3前附尖低小;P3-M2的后附尖脊短而低,次尖与后齿带有棱相连,舌侧无齿带;P5-4舌叶较长,次尖大;P3次尖与原尖有棱相连;M1原小尖和后小尖的前、后棱均较短,次尖前棱很弱;M3后小尖后棱长;下臼齿下内尖棱短等。认为原归入齿鼩猬的Tupaio- don huadianensis也应归入Anatolechinos新属。新种A.neimongolensis与A.huadianensis的主要区别是其个体较小,齿冠稍高,p4无下前边尖,外齿带弱而不完全等。将Anatolechinos归入Eri- naceidae的Tupaiodontinae。讨论了内蒙古中-西部在晚始新世的古生态环境。     

Hominin lower second premolar morphology: evolutionary inferences through geometric morphometric analysis

Mandibular premolars are increasingly used in taxon-specific diagnostic analyses of hominins. Among the principal difficulties in these evaluations is the absence of discrete, discernible, and comparable anatomical structures for rigorous quantitative assessment. Previous research has addressed either internal crown surface features (such as cusps and fossae) or the morphology of the crown outline. In the present paper, we integrate both types of information in the examination of morphological variation of lower P4s (n = 96) among various fossil hominin species with an emphasis on genus Homo. We use a set of 34 2D landmarks combining coordinate data from four classical dental landmarks on the occlusal surface and 30 sliding semilandmarks of the crown outline. Our results indicate that external shape variation is closely related to the configuration of the occlusal morphological features and influenced by dental size. The external and internal shapes of P4 are polymorphic but still useful in depicting a primitive-derived gradient. The primitive pattern seems to have been an asymmetrical contour with a mesially displaced metaconid, development of a bulging talonid, and a broad occlusal polygon. The trend toward dental reduction during the Pleistocene produced different morphological variants with a reduced occlusal polygon and decreased lingual occlusal surface in later Homo species. Homo heidelbergensis/neanderthalensis have fixed plesiomorphic traits in high percentages, whereas in modern humans a symmetrical outline with a centered metaconid and talonid reduction evolved.     

Maxillary first premolar angular differences between North American Indians and non-North American Indians

A quantitative technique for obtaining angular data on human maxillary first premolar teeth is presented. Measurement indicates that North American Indian buccal cusps are either buccolingually compressed mesially, or expanded distally, or both, when compared with non-Indian teeth. Surprisingly, data on Chinese and Eskimo samples are similar to non-Indian teeth rather than Indian teeth. Similar techniques may be applied to the more complex multicusped molar teeth in order to extract quantitative data from them.     

Geometric morphometric analysis of the crown morphology of the lower first premolar of hominins, with special attention to Pleistocene Homo

This article is the third of a series that explores hominin dental crown morphology by means of geometric morphometrics. After the analysis of the lower second premolar and the upper first molar crown shapes, we apply the same technique to lower first premolar morphology. Our results show a clear distinction between the morphology seen in earlier hominin taxa such as Australopithecus and African early Homo, as well as Asian H. erectus, and more recent groups such as European H. heidelbergensis, H. neanderthalensis, and H. sapiens. The morphology of the earlier hominins includes an asymmetrical outline, a conspicuous talonid, and an occlusal polygon that tends to be large. The morphology of the recent hominins includes a symmetrical outline and a reduced or absent talonid. Within this later group, premolars belonging to H. heidelbergensis and H. neanderthalensis tend to possess a small and mesiolingually-displaced occlusal polygon, whereas H. sapiens specimens usually present expanded and centered occlusal polygons in an almost circular outline. The morphological differences among Paranthropus, Australopithecus, and African early Homo as studied here are small and evolutionarily less significant compared to the differences between the earlier and later homin taxa. In contrast to the lower second premolar and the upper first molar crown, the inclusion of a larger hominin sample of lower first premolars reveals a large allometric component.     

Buccal oscillation and lung ventilation in a semi-aquatic turtle, Platysternon megacephalum

Movements of the hyobranchial apparatus in reptiles and amphibians contribute to many behaviors including feeding, lung ventilation, buccopharyngeal respiration, thermoregulation, olfaction, defense and display. In a semi-aquatic turtle, Platysternon megacephalum, x-ray video and airflow measurements from blowhole pneumotachography show no evidence that above water hyobranchial movements contribute to lung inflation, as in the buccal or gular pump of amphibians and some lizards. Instead, hyobranchial movements produce symmetrical oscillations of air into and out of the buccal cavity. The mean tidal volume of these buccal oscillations is 7.8 times smaller than the mean tidal volume of lung ventilation (combined mean for four individuals). Airflow associated with buccal oscillation occurs in the sequence of inhalation followed by exhalation, distinguishing it from lung ventilation which occurs as exhalation followed by inhalation. No fixed temporal relationship between buccal oscillation and lung ventilation was observed. Periods of ventilation often occur without buccal oscillation and buccal oscillation sometimes occurs without lung ventilation. When the two behaviors occur together, the onset of lung ventilation often interrupts buccal oscillation. The initiation of lung ventilation was found to occur in all phases of the buccal oscillation cycle, suggesting that the neural control mechanisms of the two behaviors are not coupled. The pattern of occurrence of both buccal oscillation and lung ventilation was found to vary over time with no obvious effect of activity levels.     

Buccal oscillation and lung ventilation in a semi-aquatic turtle, Platysternon megacephalum

Movements of the hyobranchial apparatus in reptiles and amphibians contribute to many behaviors including feeding, lung ventilation, buccopharyngeal respiration, thermoregulation, olfaction, defense and display. In a semi-aquatic turtle, Platysternon megacephalum, x-ray video and airflow measurements from blowhole pneumotachography show no evidence that above water hyobranchial movements contribute to lung inflation, as in the buccal or gular pump of amphibians and some lizards. Instead, hyobranchial movements produce symmetrical oscillations of air into and out of the buccal cavity. The mean tidal volume of these buccal oscillations is 7.8 times smaller than the mean tidal volume of lung ventilation (combined mean for four individuals). Airflow associated with buccal oscillation occurs in the sequence of inhalation followed by exhalation, distinguishing it from lung ventilation which occurs as exhalation followed by inhalation. No fixed temporal relationship between buccal oscillation and lung ventilation was observed. Periods of ventilation often occur without buccal oscillation and buccal oscillation sometimes occurs without lung ventilation. When the two behaviors occur together, the onset of lung ventilation often interrupts buccal oscillation. The initiation of lung ventilation was found to occur in all phases of the buccal oscillation cycle, suggesting that the neural control mechanisms of the two behaviors are not coupled. The pattern of occurrence of both buccal oscillation and lung ventilation was found to vary over time with no obvious effect of activity levels.     

Axonal branching pattern and coupling mechanisms of the cerebral giant neurones in the snail,lymnaea stagnalis

The axonal branching pattern of the two cerebral giant neurones (CGCs) of Lymnaea stagnalis was studied with intrasomatically applied horseradish peroxidase. The cells are symmetrical. Each CGC projects to the ipsilateral n. labialis medius and n. arteriae labialis, the subcerebral commissure, and to all ipsi- and contralateral buccal nerves. The contralateral buccal nerves are reached via the ipsilateral cerebro-buccal connective and the buccal commissure. The CGC fire action potentials 1:1 in a driver-follower relationship. Each cell is capable of both driving and following. The relationship depends on the membrane potentials of the somata. In driving CGC spikes are initiated in a cerebral spike trigger zone located near the soma. In following cells spikes are initiated in a distal zone located in the buccal ganglia. The buccal zone is only affected by the partner CGC. CGC are synchronized by three coupling mechanisms: mutual excitatory chemical synapses, electrotonic coupling, and common input. The chemical and electrotonic connections are located in the buccal ganglia. All spikes are relayed to the partner cell via the chemical synapses. The electrotonic coupling improves the efficiency of the chemical synapses. The dual connection selectively synchronizes the CGC-axonal spikes from each side of the buccal mass. Common excitatory input affects the cerebral spike trigger zones and can initiate simultaneous spikes in both cells. This results in bilateral synchrony of spikes in the CGC-axons in both the buccal and the lip nerves.     

Ultrastructure of the labrum and foregut of Derocheilocaris remanei (Crustacea,Mystacocarida)

The cuticle-lined foregut of Derocheilocaris remanei consists of the mouth with its associated labrum, and an undifferentiated esophagus. It is separated from the midgut by an esophageal valve. The labrum is a conspicuous structure moved by five pairs of muscles (four dorsoventral and one longitudinal). Four pairs of subcuticular glands open to its inner face forming two longitudinal, lateral rows of cuticular pores. Each secretory unit is composed of a glandular component (with one or two secretory cells), a neck cell, and a duct cell. In addition, a single gland cell opens mesially into the buccal cavity. The ventrally located mouth is a complex structure characterized by a filter-like system, a sensory organ, and epithelial cells with highly developed microvilli. The esophagus is a simple tube with a characteristic curvature following the mouth. It has a rounded cross section and a triradiate lumen. A layer of circular musculature surrounds this region. The end of the esophagus protrudes into the midgut lumen forming the so-called esophageal valve. The ultrastructural features of the foregut, with the presence of a mucus-trapping mechanism, a relatively well-developed filter system and associated structures and an esophagus lacking glands confirm the microphagic feeding habits of mystacocarids. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.