Dental eruption in captive-bornCebus apella: From birth to 30 months old

This work reports on the ages of gingival eruption of deciduous and permanent teeth observed from the time of birth until 30 months old, captive-born individuals. All of the animals were born with the protrusive di₁ already through the gingival border. The dmp⁴ were the last teeth of the deciduous series which emerged at 24.5±3.11 weeks in the males and 27.8±2.95 weeks in the females. Significant sexual differences were found between the eruption period of the dpm₂, dmp⁴ (p<0.05), and dpm₄ (p<0.01), with the males being more precocious than the females. The first permanent tooth that emerged, usually, was the M₁ at 13.50±2.12 months in the males, and 14.00±0.82 months in the females. At 30 months of age, not one individual had replaced his deciduous canine or premolar teeth with the permanent ones, and, moreover, the M ₃ ³ had not yet emerged.     

Comparative Properties of Deciduous and Permanent (Young and Old) Human Enamel1

Some physico-chemical properties of the enamel of deciduous and permanent (young and old) teeth were investigated and compared using x-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and chemical analyses. Results demonstrated the following: all enamel samples gave x-ray diffraction patterns of only apatite; all enamel samples gave IR absorption spectra of carbonate-containing apatite; the α-axis of deciduous enamel apatite was larger than that of permanent (both young and old) enamel apatite (mean values, deciduous = 9.458 ± 0.003A; permanent =9 443 ± 0.003A); apatite crystallite dimensions increased with age especially along the c-axis; when compared to permanent, deciduous enamel contained slightly more carbonate, magnesium and HPO₄^2-; the prism (enamel rods) dimensions were slightly smaller, and the extent of acid-etching was more extensive in deciduous enamel than in permanent enamel. These observations combined with other factors such as the difference in the orientation of and crystal density in prism rods and the difference in conditions of the oral environment between deciduous and permanent enamel may account for the reported observations of a decrease in caries prevalance with age.     

Reduced tooth size in 45,X (Turner syndrome) females

Mean values and variances of deciduous and permanent tooth dimensions were compared between 121 45,X (Turner syndrome) females and 171 control subjects to clarify the role of the X chromosome on dental development. Although deciduous molars tended to be smaller than normal in 45,X females, there was no evidence of a reduction in tooth size for deciduous anterior teeth. In the permanent dentition, all mesiodistal dimensions were significantly smaller in 45,X females but only some of the buccolingual dimensions were smaller. The findings for deciduous tooth-size may reflect a sampling effect related to the extremely high frequency of spontaneous abortion in 45,X individuals. Results for permanent teeth are consistent with the concept of a decrease in enamel thickness in 45,X females.     

Analyses of the Erosive Effect of Dietary Substances and Medications on Deciduous Teeth

This study aimed at analysing the erosive potential of 30 substances (drinks, candies, and medicaments) on deciduous enamel, and analyse the associated chemical factors with enamel dissolution. We analysed the initial pH, titratable acidity (TA) to pH 5.5, calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P_i), and fluoride (F) concentration, and degree of saturation ((pK -pI)_HAP, (pK -pI)_FAP, and (pK−pI)_CaF2) of all substances. Then, we randomly distributed 300 specimens of human deciduous enamel into 30 groups (n = 10 for each of the substances tested. We also prepared 20 specimens of permanent enamel for the sake of comparison between the two types of teeth, and we tested them in mineral water and Coca-Cola^®. In all specimens, we measured surface hardness (VHN: Vickers hardness numbers) and surface reflection intensity (SRI) at baseline (SH_baseline and SRI_baseline), after a total of 2 min (SH_2min) and after 4 min (SH_4min and SRI_4min) erosive challenges (60 ml of substance for 6 enamel samples; 30°C, under constant agitation at 95 rpm). There was no significant difference in SH_baseline between deciduous and permanent enamel. Comparing both teeth, we observed that after the first erosive challenge with Coca-Cola^®, a significantly greater hardness loss was seen in deciduous (−90.2±11.3 VHN) than in permanent enamel (−44.3±12.2 VHN; p = 0.007), but no differences between the two types of teeth were observed after two challenges (SH_4min). After both erosive challenges, all substances except for mineral water caused a significant loss in relative surface reflectivity intensity, and most substances caused a significant loss in surface hardness. Multiple regression analyses showed that pH, TA and Ca concentration play a significant role in initial erosion of deciduous enamel. We conclude that drinks, foodstuffs and medications commonly consumed by children can cause erosion of deciduous teeth and erosion is mainly associated with pH, titratable acidity and calcium concentration in the solution.     

The Study of Barium Concentration in Deciduous Teeth,Impacted Teeth,and Facial Bones of Polish Residents

The study determines the concentration of Ba in mineralized tissues of deciduous teeth, permanent impacted teeth, and facial bones. The study covers the population of children and adults (aged 6–78) living in an industrial area of Poland. Teeth were analyzed in whole, with no division into dentine and enamel. Facial bones and teeth were subjected to the following preparation: washing, drying, grinding in a porcelain mortar, sample weighing (about 0.2 g), and microwave mineralization with spectrally pure nitric acid. The aim of the study was to determinate the concentration of Ba in deciduous teeth, impacted permanent teeth, and facial bones. The concentration of barium in samples was determined over the ICP OES method. The Ba concentration in the tested bone tissues amounted to 2.2-15.5 μg/g (6.6 μg/g?±?3.9). The highest concentration of Ba was present in deciduous teeth (10.5 μg/g), followed by facial bones (5.2 μg/g), and impacted teeth (4.3 μg/g) (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis rank test, p?=?0.0002). In bone tissue and impacted teeth, Ba concentration increased with age. In deciduous teeth, the level of Ba decreased with children’s age.     

Sequences and timing of dental eruption in Bolivian captive-born squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Squirrel monkeys, colony-born from Bolivian parents, were studied to establish the sequences and timing of eruption for deciduous and permanent teeth. Infants were born with a naked gingiva, and in only one monkey was di₁ present at birth. The eruption of the lower deciduous teeth preceded their upper counterparts with the exception of di2, dc, and dpm2. No significant differences were found between the right and left quadrants of the mandible and maxilla. No significant sexual differences were found in the age of eruption. By the age of 14 weeks, all deciduous teeth had erupted. The sequence of eruption of the replacement teeth was different from that of milk teeth. The differences lie in the delayed eruption of canine teeth and in the inverted sequence, from the back to the front, of the premolar series. Significant sexual differences were found in total eruption (TE) for PM₃ and I² (P < 0.05) and highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in TE and initial eruption (IE) for C¹, females being more precocious than males. The age at which monkeys completed dental eruption was highly variable, 103–119 weeks for males and 89–112 weeks for females. Differences were found when our results were compared with those of Long and Cooper [1968] for Colombian squirrel monkeys.     

The effect of forest type on throughfall deposition and seepage flux: a review

Converting deciduous forests to coniferous plantations and vice versa causes environmental changes, but till now insight into the overall effect is lacking. This review, based on 38 case studies, aims to find out how coniferous and deciduous forests differ in terms of throughfall (+stemflow) deposition and seepage flux to groundwater. From the comparison of coniferous and deciduous stands at comparable sites, it can be inferred that deciduous forests receive less N and S via throughfall (+stemflow) deposition on the forest floor. In regions with relatively low open field deposition of atmospheric N (<10 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), lower NH₄⁺ mean throughfall (+stemflow) deposition was, however, reported under conifers compared to deciduous forest, while in regions with high atmospheric N pollution (>10 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), the opposite could be concluded. The higher the open field deposition of NH₄⁺, the bigger the difference between the coniferous and deciduous throughfall (+stemflow) deposition. Furthermore, it can be concluded that canopy exchange of K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ is on average higher in deciduous stands. The significantly higher stand deposition flux of N and S in coniferous forests is reflected in a higher soil seepage flux of NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Al(III). Considering a subset of papers for which all necessary data were available, a close relationship between throughfall (+stemflow) deposition and seepage was found for N, irrespective of the forest type, while this was not the case for S. This review shows that the higher input flux of N and S in coniferous forests clearly involves a higher seepage of NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ and accompanying cations K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Al(III) into the groundwater, making this forest type more vulnerable to acidification and eutrophication compared to the deciduous forest type.     

Sequence and age of eruption of deciduous dentition in the baboon (Papio sp)

A detailed eruption sequence and associated age of eruption for deciduous dentition in baboons (Papio sp) are presented in this paper. The sequence was determined by evaluation and comparison of the number and kinds of teeth present in nine age cohorts comprising the study sample of 88 males and 87 females who ranged in age from birth to 763 days. Eruption was assessed visually as present or absent. Several statistical methods used to derive the ages associated with the eruption sequence are described. The basic eruption sequence in the sample population is: i¹ i₁, i₂, i², \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm c}\limits_{\rm -} {\rm,}\mathop {\rm c}\limits^{\rm -} $\end{document} m¹ (m², m₂), M₁, M¹. Both sexes show the same pattern, with the exception of the second deciduous molar, where males show a sequence of m₂, m₂, while females show the opposite. Posterior dentition shows the greatest gender-specific variation in average age of eruption.     

Metrical dental analysis on golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

Dental variation in the Chinese golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is here evaluated by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Allometric analyses indicate that canines and P3s are positively, but other dimensions negatively scaled to mandible and maxilla, and to body size. With the exception of the mesiodistal dimensions of I₁ and M₃, and the buccolingual dimension of P₄, mandibular dental variables show similar scaling relative to body size. Analysis of residuals shows that males have significantly larger canine, P³ and buccolingual dimensions of the postcanine teeth (M² and M³) than females. A significant difference in shape between the sexes is found in the buccolingual dimension of the upper teeth, but not in the mandible. Unlike the situation in some other species, female golden monkeys do not exhibit relatively larger postcanine teeth than males. In fact, the reverse is true, expecially for M²s and M³s. The fact that most of the dental variables show low negative allometry to body size might be related a cold environment that has led to the development of larger body size with reduced energy loss. When the raw data are examined by Discriminant Function Analysis the sexes are clearly distinguishable.     

Ontogenetic features of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dolichopithecus</Emphasis> (Primates,Colobidae) from the Pliocene of Pridnestrovie

In the permanent dentition of the extinct genus Dolichopithecus, M₁, I₁, and I₂ were the first to erupt, followed by M₂, canine, P₄, and P₃. M₃ was the last permanent tooth to erupt. At the stage of eruption of P₄ and P₃, M₃ was incompletely mineralized. The difference from the extant Cercopithecoidea is the loss of all deciduous teeth after eruption of incisors and M1 and the similarity is observed in the succession of eruption of permanent teeth. In Dolichopithecus, the lower jaw body retained constant in thickness after eruption of M₂. The lower jaw increased in length and depth, as the horizontal ramus grew with the formation and eruption of M₃.     

Talonid crests expression at the enamel–dentine junction of hominin lower permanent and deciduous molars

The application of microtomography (mCT) to dental morphological studies has unveiled a new source of palaeobiological information, particularly in the analysis of the internal structures of teeth. In this study, we assess the expression of talonid crests at the enamel and dentine surfaces in lower permanent and second deciduous molars (M₂ and dm₂) of H. sapiens, H. neanderthalensis and Atapuerca-Sima de los Huesos (SH) hominins. In modern humans, talonid crests are described exclusively in the deciduous teeth (Korenhof, 1982) and interpreted as a primitive mammalian remnant of the talonid attachment to the trigonid. Here we report for the first time the expression of talonid crests of deciduous and permanent molars in H. sapiens, H. neanderthalensis and Middle Pleistocene hominins. We discuss possible evolutionary interpretations and suggest the importance of recording this feature in future studies.     

Mineral content of calcified tissues in cystic fibrosis mice

Although abnormal hard tissue mineralization is a recognized complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), the pathogenesis leading from the defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein is poorly understood. We hypothesized that CFTR plays a direct role in the mineralization of bone and teeth and tested the hypothesis using CF mouse models [CFTR(−) mice]. In vivo measurements by dual-emission X-ray absorpitometry (DEXA) indicated that bone mineral density (BMD) was reduced in CF mice as compared to gender-matched littermates. However, no change was evident after correction of BMD for the covariant of body weight. The latter finding was confirmed in isolated femurs and nasal bones by standard dry-ashing and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). INAA of the continuously growing hypsodont incisor teeth from CFTR(−) mice revealed reduced Ca and normal P in the enamel layer—a finding consistent with changes in the deciduous teeth of CF children. Interestingly, enamel fluoride was increased in the CFTR(−) incisors and may associate with abnormal enamel crystallite formation. The iron content of the incisor enamel was reduced, explaining the loss of yellow pigmentation in CFTR(−) incisors. In contrast to the incisors, the mineral content of the slow-growing brachydont molar teeth was not different between CFTR(−) and CFTR(+) mice. It was concluded that CFTR does not play a direct role in the mineralization of bones or brachydont teeth in mice. Functional CFTR is apparently required for normal mineralization of the hypsodont incisors. However, multiple changes in the mineral composition of the CF incisors suggest an indirect role for CFTR, perhaps by maintaining a normal salivary environment for continuous tooth eruption. Preliminary reports published in Pediatric Pulmonology, 14, 253A (1997) and 15, 253A (1998).     

Spectacular morphological novelty in a miniature cyprinid fish,Danionella dracula n. sp.

Danionella dracula is a new species of sexually dimorphic, miniature and highly developmentally truncated cyprinid fish. Compared with its close relative, the zebrafish Danio rerio, it lacks 44 bones or parts thereof and represents one of the most developmentally truncated vertebrates. Absence of the majority of bones appears to be due to developmental truncation via terminal deletion. In contrast to these larval-like features, D. dracula also shows several hyperossifications. Uniquely, among carp-like fishes, male D. dracula have a series of long, pointed odontoid processes on the jaws greatly resembling the jaw dentition of teleosts with true teeth. The anterior-most process in each jaw is extended as a canine-like fang projecting through the epithelium. True jaw teeth are absent from all 3700 species of cypriniforms and were lost at least in the Upper Eocene. It remains to be investigated, however, whether the conserved pathways to regulate tooth development in cypriniforms have been used in D. dracula to form and pattern the odontoid processes. This new species represents a remarkable example linking progenetic paedomorphosis via heterochronic change in developmental timing to the evolution of morphological novelties.     

Cryopreserved Dental Pulp Tissues of Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Is a Feasible Stem Cell Resource for Regenerative Medicine

Human exfoliated deciduous teeth have been considered to be a promising source for regenerative therapy because they contain unique postnatal stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) with self-renewal capacity, multipotency and immunomodulatory function. However preservation technique of deciduous teeth has not been developed. This study aimed to evaluate that cryopreserved dental pulp tissues of human exfoliated deciduous teeth is a retrievable and practical SHED source for cell-based therapy. SHED isolated from the cryopreserved deciduous pulp tissues for over 2 years (25–30 months) (SHED-Cryo) owned similar stem cell properties including clonogenicity, self-renew, stem cell marker expression, multipotency, in vivo tissue regenerative capacity and in vitro immunomodulatory function to SHED isolated from the fresh tissues (SHED-Fresh). To examine the therapeutic efficacy of SHED-Cryo on immune diseases, SHED-Cryo were intravenously transplanted into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) model MRL/lpr mice. Systemic SHED-Cryo-transplantation improved SLE-like disorders including short lifespan, elevated autoantibody levels and nephritis-like renal dysfunction. SHED-Cryo amended increased interleukin 17-secreting helper T cells in MRL/lpr mice systemically and locally. SHED-Cryo-transplantation was also able to recover osteoporosis bone reduction in long bones of MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, SHED-Cryo-mediated tissue engineering induced bone regeneration in critical calvarial bone-defect sites of immunocompromised mice. The therapeutic efficacy of SHED-Cryo transplantation on immune and skeletal disorders was similar to that of SHED-Fresh. These data suggest that cryopreservation of dental pulp tissues of deciduous teeth provide a suitable and desirable approach for stem cell-based immune therapy and tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.     

Traumatic injury to the incisive bones and maxillary dentition in a male gray wolf (Canis lupus L.) from Slovakia

The paper presents the skull of a male gray wolf shot in the region of Snina, eastern Slovakia. Age at death of the wolf was estimated at 6 years. The skull was characterized by the almost-complete absence of the alveolar processes of the incisive bones and multiple dental abnormalities that were attributed to a severe trauma. All maxillary incisors and both maxillary first premolars were missing. In addition, both maxillary canines were fractured with only tooth fragments being left. The pulp exposure associated with the crown fractures of the maxillary canines had caused pulp necrosis and periapical lesions, as evidenced on radiographs. The right P², P³, and P⁴ were fractured, with only the remaining tooth structure of the second and third premolars being left. In the right P⁴ and the left M¹, periapical bone resorption was diagnosed radiologically. In the mandibular dentition, the right I₂ and left P₁ had been lost in life. The mandibular canines exhibited distinct wear facets that were caused by contact with the maxillary third incisors, which were subsequently lost. The fact that all fractured teeth showed signs of wear indicates that the trauma had occurred some time before the wolf was shot.     

Effect of intrauterine infusion of recombinant bovine interferon αI1 on luteal phase duration and oxytocin-induced release of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α in postpartum beef cows

The objective of this study was to determine if oxytocin-induced release of prostaglandin F₂α (PGF_2α; measured by the stable metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F₂α (PGFM)) was inhibited following intrauterine infusion of bovine interferon-α_I1 (rboIFNα_I1) into postpartum cows anticipated to have short estrous cycles following first ovulation postpartum. Cows expected to have short estrous cycles were assigned to receive twice daily intrauterine infusions of either placebo (SCP; n = 11) or 2 mg rboIFNα_I1 (SCIFN; n = 14) on Days 1–16 following hCG injection (2500 IU; day 0) on Days 30 or 31 postpartum. On Day 5 following hCG, each cow was injected with 100 IU oxytocin (i.v.) to induce the release of uterine PGF_2α (as measured by PGFM). Other treatment groups consisted of cows expected to have normal estrous cycle lengths following pretreatment with a 9 day norgestomet implant on Days 21 or 22 postpartum followed by hCG injection to induce ovulation. Cows expected to have normal estrous cycle lengths received twice daily intrauterine infusions of either placebo from Days 1 to 16 of the cycle and 100 IU oxytocin (i.v.) on Day 5 (NCPE; n = 11) or twice daily infusions of placebo (NCPL; n = 7) or rboIFNα_I1 (NCIFN; n = 10), from Day 13 post-hCG injection until luteolysis. Oxytocin was injected (100 IU; i.v.) into cows in the NCPL and NCIFN groups on Day 16. The calculated areas under the curve (arbitrary PGFM units) were: 164 ± 18 units, 96 ± 16 units, 93 ± 18 units, 137 ± 27 units and 53 ± 20 units for SCP, SCIFN, NCPE, NCPL and NCIFN, respectively (SCIFN < SCP; NCIFN < NCPL; P < 0.015). Mean luteal phase length was calculated as the number of days from injection of hCG until progesterone declined to below 0.5 ng ml⁻¹ and was: 6.7 ± 1.0 days, 10.5 ± 0.9 days, 12.0 ± 1.0 days, 18.0 ± 1.3 days and 20.7 ± 1.1 days for SCP, SCIFN, NCPE, NCPL and NCIFN, respectively (SCP < SCIFN = NCPE < NCPL = NCIFN; P < 0.01). In summary, luteal phase lengths were increased and oxytocin-induced release of PGFM was reduced by rboIFNα_I1 infusion in cows anticipated to have short luteal phases.     

The anatomy and systematic position of the early Miocene proconsulid from Meswa Bridge, Kenya

A small collection of fossil catarrhines was recovered from the early Miocene locality of Meswa Bridge in western Kenya between 1978 and 1980. The associated fauna from Meswa Bridge indicates an age older than 20 Ma. Much of the material has been briefly described previously, and its taxonomic status considered. The material can be assigned to a minimum of four individuals, all of which are infants or juveniles. Although the specimens were shown to belong to a distinct species of Proconsul, the taxon was not named, primarily because many of the specimens belonged to immature individuals. Nevertheless, the combined morphological features of the deciduous and permanent teeth allow the diagnosis of a new species of Proconsul, which is formally named here as P. meswae. It is a large-sized species, similar in dental size to P. nyanzae. The main features distinguishing it from all other previously named species of Proconsul are: incisors and deciduous incisors relatively low crowned; upper deciduous canines relatively higher crowned and more robust; molars and deciduous premolars relatively broader and higher crowned, with a more pronounced degree of buccolingual flare and better developed cingula; size differential between molars not as marked; dP₄ with a longer mesial fovea and smaller hypoconulid and distal fovea; P₄ relatively broader, with a better developed buccal cingulum; lower molars less rectangular with a longer mesial fovea, smaller distal fovea, more restricted talonid basin, and a tendency for a smaller hypoconulid; dP⁴ and upper molars with strongly buccolingually splayed roots; mandibular corpus in infants relatively deeper and more slender; maxilla with a well developed canine jugum and fossa. The broader and more flared molars with better developed cingula indicate that the Meswa Bridge species is more primitive than other species of Proconsul. The inference that it is a stem member of the Proconsul clade is consistent with the estimated age of the material.     

Human skeletons from the Newgate site in the City of London

The graveyard excavated at the Newgate (General Post Office) site in the City of London contained 436 badly damaged individual graves of a medieval Saxon population. Detailed studies of the individual skeletons showed that the population was fairly homogenous with very small range of individual variations. The people were short in stature and were muscular in build. Old individuals were uncommon. One third of women's graves also contained a child. Some congenital deformations, degenerative disease and injuries were noted on the excavated bones. Everyone suffered from severe dental caries, periondontal disease and subsequent loss of teeth. The skeletal features are described and inferences drawn concerning the biological status of the population. Paper presented at the 4^th European Congress of Anthropology (Florence, Sept. 1984).     

Crown dimensions of deciduous teeth from pre-Columbian Peru

The mean mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters are presented for the deciduous teeth from Pre-Columbian Peru. Generally, the deciduous teeth from Pre-Columbian Peru are larger in most dimensions than the deciduous teeth of modern populations of European descent and smaller than those of modern Australian aboriginals. Differences in crown dimensions between the Pre-Columbian Peruvian deciduous teeth and those from Prehistoric Inamgaon and Mesolithic Europe are inconsistent. However, the maxillary and mandibular second molars are larger in the Peruvian population while the incisors are smaller. Since comparative data for prehistoric deciduous teeth are rare, this paper adds valuable data to the growing literature on deciduous crown dimensions.     

Differential impact of liana colonization on the leaf functional traits of co-occurring deciduous and evergreen trees in a tropical dry scrub forest

The present study was carried out to analyze the leaf functional traits of co-occurring evergreen and deciduous tree species in a tropical dry scrub forest. This study also intended to check whether the species with contrasting leaf habits differ in their leaf trait plasticity, responding to the canopy infestation by lianas. A total of 11 leaf functional traits were studied for eight tree species with contrasting leaf habits (evergreen and deciduous) and liana-colonization status (with or without liana). In the liana-free environment (L^–), evergreen trees had significantly higher leaf tissue density (LTD) and total chlorophyll (CHL_t) than the deciduous species. Whereas the deciduous trees had higher specific leaf area (SLA) and mass-based leaf nitrogen concentration (N_mass). The leaf trait-pair relationship in the present study agreed with the well-established global trait-pair relationships (leaf thickness (LT) vs. SLA, N_mass vs. LT, SLA vs. N_mass, and LDMC vs. SLA). There was a significant difference between L⁺ and L^– individuals in leaf area (LA), petiole length (PL), SLA, LDMC, and CHL_t in the deciduous species. On the other hand, evergreen species showed marked differences across LT, SLA, LTD, N_mass, and chlorophyll components between L⁺ and L^– individuals of the same species. The results revealed the differential impact of liana colonization on the host trees with contrasting leaf habits. The deciduous species with the acquisitive strategy can have a competitive advantage over evergreen species in the exposed environments (L^–), whereas evergreen species with shade-tolerant properties were better acclimated to the shaded environments (L⁺). Therefore, liana colonization can significantly impact the C-fixation strategies of the host trees by altering their light environment and further, the magnitude of such impact may vary among species of different leaf habits. The result also indicated the patterns of convergence and divergence in some of the leaf functional traits between evergreen and deciduous species explaining the patterns of species co-existence.