Finite element,occlusal, microwear and microstructural analyses indicate that conodont microstructure is adapted to dental function

Conodonts constitute the earliest evidence of skeletal biomineralization in the vertebrate evolutionary lineage, manifest as a feeding apparatus of tooth‐like elements comprised of enamel‐ and dentine‐like tissues that evolved in parallel with these canonical tissues in other total‐group gnathostomes. As such, this remarkable example of evolutionary parallelism affords a natural experiment in which to explore the constraints on vertebrate skeletal evolution. Using finite element analysis, informed by occlusal and microwear analyses, we tested the hypothesis that coincidence of complex dental function and microstructural differentiation in the enamel‐like tissues of conodonts and other vertebrates is a consequence of functional adaptation. Our results show topological co‐variation in the patterns of stress distribution and crystallite orientation. In regions of high stress, such as the apex of the basal cavity and inner parts of the platform, the crown tissue comprises interwoven prisms, discontinuities between which would have acted to decussate cracks, preventing propagation. These results inform a general occlusal model for platform conodont elements and demonstrate that the complex microstructure of conodont crown tissue is an adaptation to the dental functions that the elements performed.     

Testing models of dental development in the earliest bony vertebrates, Andreolepis and Lophosteus

Theories on the development and evolution of teeth have long been biased by the fallacy that chondrichthyans reflect the ancestral condition for jawed vertebrates. However, correctly resolving the nature of the primitive vertebrate dentition is challenged by a dearth of evidence on dental development in primitive osteichthyans. Jaw elements from the Silurian-Devonian stem-osteichthyans Lophosteus and Andreolepis have been described to bear a dentition arranged in longitudinal rows and vertical files, reminiscent of a pattern of successional development. We tested this inference, using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) to reveal the pattern of skeletal development preserved in the sclerochronology of the mineralized tissues. The tooth-like tubercles represent focal elaborations of dentine within otherwise continuous sheets of the dermal skeleton, present in at least three stacked generations. Thus, the tubercles are not discrete modular teeth and their arrangement into rows and files is a feature of the dermal ornamentation that does not reflect a polarity of development or linear succession. These fossil remains have no bearing on the nature of the dentition in osteichthyans and, indeed, our results raise questions concerning the homologies of these bones and the phylogenetic classification of Andreolepis and Lophosteus.     

Evidence of parallel evolution in the dental elements of Sweetognathus conodonts

The repeated emergence of similar morphologies in the dental elements of Permian Sweetognathus conodonts has been a hypothesized example of parallel evolution. To test if morphological parallelisms occur between isolated Sweetognathus lineages, this study uses two-dimensional-based geometric morphometrics combined with a revised and expanded phylogeny of Permian Sweetognathus conodonts to quantify dental element trait distributions and compare the phenotypic trajectories between lineages. A hierarchical clustering method was used to identify recurrent species pairs based on principal component scores describing their morphological variation, with the further incorporation of widely used ecological metrics such as limiting similarity and morphological overlap. Our research implies that a major contributor to conodont diversity in Palaeozoic marine trophic networks is the emergence of recurrent parallel morphologies via disruptive and directional selection. This study illustrates the mechanisms through which conodonts achieved their status as hyper-diverse predators and scavengers, contributing substantially to the complexity of Palaeozoic marine communities.     

On the relationship of dental microwear to dental macrowear

Dental microwear analysts have demonstrated that hard diets leave numerous microscopic pits on occlusal surfaces. The relationship between occlusal pitting and gross macrowear, however, is not well known. The current study seeks to elucidate the relationship between dental microwear and macrowear by determining if microscopically pitted teeth are associated with greater expressions of macrowear. This study examined microwear and macrowear on mandibular second molars from 60 prehistoric adult Native Americans representing three dietary regimes (foraging, mixed economy, and agriculture). Initially, two dental microwear feature variables were studied: percentage of pits and mean scratch width. Standard macrowear scores ranged from 4 to 40. ANOVAs suggested that neither of the microwear variables was affected by age or sex, but age affected macrowear scores. Because of this, the sample had a balanced number of young and old adults (i.e., those below and above skeletal age 35). A Pearson's correlation showed no covariation between scratch width and the percentage of pits. Regression analysis indicated that macrowear was not a function of the percentage of pits. However, a significant positive relationship was found between dental macrowear and scratch width. A post priori test found a significant negative relationship between macrowear and the total number of scratches. It is concluded, then, that wide scratches remove more enamel and dentin than do numerous pits, although both cause dental wear. It is suggested here that the term “abrasive” be used to describe those microwear profiles that lead to heavy macrowear and have relatively wide scratches. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Exploring the relationship between dental wear and status in late medieval subadults from England

Dental wear patterns were recorded on 458 deciduous molar teeth, of 142 subadults from late medieval (AD 1086–1539) England, to explore the relationship between dental wear and burial status of children. A new ordinal method for scoring dental wear stages on the deciduous molar teeth was devised. It was postulated that if a discernible relationship between dental wear stage and burial location could be seen then this could reflect a difference in diet between those receiving higher or lower status burial. The dental wear stages recorded were statistically similar for the dentitions of subadults from different cemeteries, as well as from different burial locations, indicating a comparable diet for the children studied. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mineral metabolism and microstructural defects in primate teeth.

There are numerous structural defects that occur in primate teeth due to variable calcification during certain growth stages. These interruptions are usually areas of hypomineralization in enamel and dentin which are referred to as Striae of Retzius and Hunter Shreger bands in the enamel or Incremental Lines of von Ebner and Contour Lines of Owen in the case of the dentin. The frequency of occurrence of these variations in mineralization can be related to such factors as growth tempo, dietary quality, state of health, and past disease episodes. Another structure that appears in the dentin is a region that fails to calcify and is referred to as Inter-globular Dentin. Our studies have shown that the microstructural quality of different species' dentition varies widely. Samples obtained from certain fre-ranging cercopithcoids show that these species have the least hypomineralizations while man has the most. Other primate species range between these two extremems with the pongids nearer to man in these characteristics, as previously noted by Sognnaes. Additionally, out initial study shows a great deal of diversity between prehistoric human populations in the microstructural quality of their teeth. We offer the tentative explanation that this variation is due to differences in the calcitying properties of the diet and hence a difference in the general state of their health.     

The sharpest tools in the box? Quantitative analysis of conodont element functional morphology

Conodonts have been considered the earliest skeletonizing vertebrates and their mineralized feeding apparatus interpreted as having performed a tooth function. However, the absence of jaws in conodonts and the small size of their oropharyngeal musculature limits the force available for fracturing food items, presenting a challenge to this interpretation. We address this issue quantitatively using engineering approaches previously applied to mammalian dentitions. We show that the morphology of conodont food-processing elements was adapted to overcome size limitations through developing dental tools of unparalleled sharpness that maximize applied pressure. Combined with observations of wear, we also show how this morphology was employed, demonstrating how Wurmiella excavata used rotational kinematics similar to other conodonts, suggesting that this occlusal style is typical for the clade. Our work places conodont elements within a broader dental framework, providing a phylogenetically independent system for examining convergence and scaling in dental tools.     

Morphological adaptation to diet in platyrrhine primates

Morphological features of the jaws and teeth are examined in eight species of platyrrhine monkeys that coexist in the Suriname rainforest. Z-scores calculated from geometric predictions for several features of the feeding apparatus thought to have some functional significance (e. g., tooth dimensions, jaw robusticity, leverage of primary jaw elevators) are compared to a profile of the naturalistic dietary behavior of these species (i. e., proportions of fruit mesocarp, seeds, leaves, and fauna eaten). Several features are found exclusively in those platyrrhines whose dietary preferences are the most limited. Such specializations appear to be associated with a particular protein source exploited by a species to supplement a largely frugivorous diet. Ateles paniscus, which feeds primarily on the mesocarp of ripe fruit, has an adaptive morphology that emphasizes broad incisors. Chiropotes satanas (and to a slightly lesser extent, Pithecia pithecia) is a frugivore/seed predator with large upper and lower canines and a robust mandible. The frugivore/folivore Alouatta seniculus has a relatively large total molar area and effective mandibular condyle height. In all four of these strictly vegetarian species, the leverage of the masseter muscle is greater than that of temporalis. Of the omnivorous species, Cebus apella and C. nigrivittatus exploit both fauna and seeds for protein and exhibit an array of many of the above features, such as large teeth and thick mandibles. Saimiri sciureus, not particularly known for seed predation, departs from Cebus in having less robust canines and a more gracile mandible. All three cebid omnivores have a temporalis with greater leverage than the masseter, indicating a requirement for resisting anteriorly directed forces, for example, using the jaws for vigorous foraging. The lack of any enlarged features, other than incisors, in the omnivorous Saguinus midas may be attributable to the functional constraints of small body size. Because the small size of the gape limits the size of the food parcel ingested, a requirement to enlarge other dentomandibular structures for trituration is alleviated.     

Cephalometric study of elderly with nearly intact dental arches

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the craniofacial morphology of elderly people with many remaining teeth using cephalometric analysis. Subjects and methods: The subjects were 30 Japanese elderly who participated in the ‘8020 campaign 2001’ in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, organised by The Dental Association of Tokyo, as well as 30 Japanese young adults with normal occlusion. Lateral cephalograms of all subjects were analysed using the Coben method. Results: In the female elderly group, the lower face depth was smaller than in the younger adults. In the male elderly group, the height and depth of both the total face and the lower face were longer than in the younger group. In comparing the 8020 achievers with the younger group, the proportion of the lower facial height was greater than the upper facial height, and this finding was more pronounced in women than in men. Conclusion: For the lateral facial pattern of the elderly, a reduction of lower facial height because of tooth occlusal reduction was not apparent. It was clear that there are age differences for males and females; in addition, differences in the total face and lower face area of the elderly group were due to their having many remaining teeth over a long time period. Also, these changes were more apparent in women than in men, and it is clear that there is a male–female difference in ageing.     

Effect of postweaning protein deficiency on the content and lipid composition of gray and white matter in neonatally undernourished rat brain

The effects of neonatal undernutrition and postweaning protein deficiency on the content and lipid composition of gray and white matter of 63 days old rat brain have been studied. The concentrations of different lipids remain the same, but the relative proportion of gray and white matter changes thus reflecting the differences in the concentration of whole brain lipids.     

The status and phylogenetic relationships of “Zanclodon”arenaceus: the earliest known phytosaur?

“Zanclodon”arenaceus has been suggested to represent the oldest reliably dated phytosaur. The type and only specimen, a mandibular fragment of an archosaur from the Schilfsandstein (Carnian; Late Triassic) of Southwest Germany, is described in detail for the first time. “Z.”arenaceus is characterized by a great elongation of the mandible and symphysis, and labiolingually flattened, serrated teeth, a combination that is so far unique among Triassic archosaurs. The previous assignment to the enigmatic reptilian genusZanclodon is unsubstantiated. “Z.”arenaceus shares with Phytosauria both these mandibular characters, but differs in numerous other characters, including most of the autapomorphic mandibular and dental features of Phytosauria. Thus, “Z.”arenaceus is not a phytosaur as currently defined. A cladistic analysis identified “Z.”arenaceus as the sister-taxon of Phytosauria, but because of the limited data available and numerous homoplasies that occur among mandibular characters of archosaurs a closer relationship with other archosaur taxa is a reasonable alternative. It seems unjustified to redefine Phytosauria, or to propose a more inclusive taxon to include “Z.”arenaceus, and therefore the species is assessed as Archosauriaincertae sedis.     

An experimental approach to modeling the strength of canine teeth

The strength of canine teeth in several carnivores is found through direct fracture experiments. The average forces required to break the canines of adult animals are coyote 1170 N, red fox 533 N, bobcat 737 N and raccoon 512 N. Stresses created in teeth at the breaking load are predicted by finite-element analysis and beam theory. The ultimate tensile stress sustainable in these teeth is 338 MPa in adult animals. The large pulp cavity in the canines of young animals significantly weakens the bases of their teeth (by about 25%), but as the animal ages the pulp cavity decreases and has little effect on overall tooth strength. The tooth material of young of the year is significantly weaker than that from older animals (by about 35%). With the experimentally derived ultimate tensile stress, finite-element analysis can estimate the breaking load of canines for several carnivores. A significant allometric relationship exists between log of body weight and log of strength of tooth (slope=0.81).     

Testing hypotheses regarding the genetics of adaptation

Many of the hypotheses regarding the genetics of adaptation require that one know specific details about the genetic basis of complex traits, such as the number and effects of the loci involved. Developments in molecular biology have made it possible to create relatively dense maps of markers that can potentially be used to map genes underlying specific traits. However, there are a number of reasons to doubt that such mapping will provide the level of resolution necessary to specifically address many evolutionary questions. Moreover, evolutionary change is built upon the substitution of individual mutations, many of which may now be cosegregating in the same allele. In order for this developing area not to become a mirage that traps the efforts of an entire field, the genetic dissection of adaptive traits should be conducted within a strict hypothesis-testing framework and within systems that promise a reasonable chance of identifying the specific genetic changes of interest. Continuing advances in molecular technology may lead the way here, but some form of genetic testing is likely to be forever required.     

Patterns of dental wear and the role of the canine in Cercopithecinae.

The importance of dental wear patterns in understanding masticatory functions in primates has long been appreciated. However, studies of wear patterns among populations of nonhuman primates are few. The purpose of this investigation is to establish the developmental aspects of dental wear in the Cercopithecinae and to describe certain relevant morphological traits. Studies were made of dental casts from 200 primate specimens of Macaca nemestrina, Macaca mulatta, and Papio cynocephalus. These casts were taken at four-month intervals, beginning at two years of age and continuing over a period of six to seven years. The wear pattern starts with the rounding and eventual flattening of the protoconid and protocone of the erupted first molars. Once this stage is reached, the hypoconid and metaconid of the mandibular, and the hypocone and paracone of the maxillary molars are rounded and eventually flattened. This pattern is maintained until the cusp tips are removed and the dentin exposed, however, the entoconid and metacone are not subjected to significant wear at this stage. Analysis of these dental casts and museum specimens has provided data on the development of dental wear during the maturation of these primates. The distribution of forces acting upon the teeth produce diagnostic patterns of wear, which provide evidence of the force location and magnitude. In examining the data, the hypothesis of canine guidance and its limitation of mandibular motion was evaluated. Specimens whose canines were removed demonstrate that the canines play no significant role in the development or maintenance of dental wear planes.     

Diet and dental topography in pitheciine seed predators

Pitheciines (Pithecia, Chiropotes, and Cacajao) are a specialized clade of Neotropical seed predators that exhibit postcanine teeth with low and rounded cusps and highly crenulated occlusal surface enamel. Data on feeding ecology show that Pithecia consumes proportionally more leaves than other pitheciine species, and comparative studies demonstrate its greater molar relief and relative shearing potential. However, data on pitheciine food mechanics show that Pithecia masticates seeds with greater crushing resistance than those preferred by Chiropotes. This variation predicts an opposing morphology characterized by low and more rounded occlusal surfaces in Pithecia. We build on previous research using new methods for molar surface shape quantification by examining pitheciine second molar shearing crest length, occlusal relief, surface complexity, and surface curvature relative to nonseed specializing platyrrhines and within the context of the observed interspecific variation in pitheciine feeding ecology. Consistent with the previous analyses, our findings demonstrate that pitheciine molars exhibit low shearing, relief, and curvature compared with nonseed predators, independent of phylogeny. Pitheciines also exhibit highly “complex” occlusal topography that promotes the efficient breakdown of tough seed tissues. Overall, Pithecia, Chiropotes, and Cacajao share a similar topographic pattern, suggesting adaptation to foods with similar structural and/or mechanical properties. However, Cacajao differs in surface complexity, which reflects some variation in its feeding ecology. Contrary to the predictions, Pithecia and Chiropotes do not differ in any of the topographic variables examined. The range of demands imposed on the postcanine teeth of Pithecia might therefore select for an average topography, one that converges on that of Chiropotes. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Primate dental ecology: How teeth respond to the environment

Teeth are central for the study of ecology, as teeth are at the direct interface between an organism and its environment. Recent years have witnessed a rapid growth in the use of teeth to understand a broad range of topics in living and fossil primate biology. This in part reflects new techniques for assessing ways in which teeth respond to, and interact with, an organism's environment. Long-term studies of wild primate populations that integrate dental analyses have also provided a new context for understanding primate interactions with their environments. These new techniques and long-term field studies have allowed the development of a new perspective-dental ecology. We define dental ecology as the broad study of how teeth respond to, or interact with, the environment. This includes identifying patterns of dental pathology and tooth use-wear, as they reflect feeding ecology, behavior, and habitat variation, including areas impacted by anthropogenic disturbance, and how dental development can reflect environmental change and/or stress. The dental ecology approach, built on collaboration between dental experts and ecologists, holds the potential to provide an important theoretical and practical framework for inferring ecology and behavior of fossil forms, for assessing environmental change in living populations, and for understanding ways in which habitat impacts primate growth and development. This symposium issue brings together experts on dental morphology, growth and development, tooth wear and health, primate ecology, and paleontology, to explore the broad application of dental ecology to questions of how living and fossil primates interact with their environments.     

Recent studies of dental development in Neandertals: Implications for Neandertal life histories

Did Neandertals share with modern humans their prolonged periods of growth and delayed ages of maturation? During the past five years, renewed interest in this question has produced dental studies with seemingly contradictory results. Some suggest fast dental growth, 1 , 2 while others appear to suggest a slower, modern‐human dental growth pattern. 3 , 4 Although some apparent contradictions can be reconciled, there remain questions that can be resolved only with additional data and cross‐validation of methods. Moreover, several difficulties are inherent in using dental development to gauge Neandertal life histories. Even with complete data on Neandertal dental development, questions are likely to remain about the meaning of those data with regard to understanding Neandertal life histories.