Brief communication: dental development and enamel thickness in the Lakonis Neanderthal molar

Developmental and structural affinities between modern human and Neanderthal dental remains continue to be a subject of debate as well as their utility for informing assessments of life history and taxonomy. Excavation of the Middle Paleolithic cave site Lakonis in southern Greece has yielded a lower third molar (LKH 1). Here, we detail the crown development and enamel thickness of the distal cusps of the LKH 1 specimen, which has been classified as a Neanderthal based on the presence of an anterior fovea and mid-trigonid crest. Crown formation was determined using standard histological techniques, and enamel thickness was measured from a virtual plane of section. Developmental differences include thinner cuspal enamel and a lower periodicity than modern humans. Crown formation in the LKH 1 hypoconid is estimated to be 2.6-2.7 years, which is shorter than modern human times. The LKH 1 hypoconid also shows a more rapid overall crown extension rate than modern humans. Relative enamel thickness was approximately half that of a modern human sample mean; enamel on the distal cusps of modern human third molars is extremely thick in absolute and relative terms. These findings are consistent with recent studies that demonstrate differences in crown development, tissue proportions, and enamel thickness between Neanderthals and modern humans. Although overlap in some developmental variables may be found, the results of this and other studies suggest that Neanderthal molars formed in shorter periods of time than modern humans, due in part to thinner enamel and faster crown extension rates.     

嘴壶夜蛾的形态、生活史及昼夜节律

嘴壶夜蛾Oraesia emarginata (Fabricius)是危害水果果实的重要害虫之一, 其成虫和幼虫取食不同的寄主植物, 可以作为理想的嗅觉研究模式昆虫。为了全面地了解嘴壶夜蛾的形态特性和生物学特性, 本实验通过室内饲喂和红外摄像机观察, 对嘴壶夜蛾各虫态的外部形态、 发育以及昼夜活动节律进行了系统研究。结果表明： 嘴壶夜蛾的各龄幼虫可以通过体色, 体表色斑的类型、 位置和数量, 以及腹足的数量进行区别。通过蛹的生殖孔和成虫触角能够很好地区别雌雄。在室内饲养条件下, 嘴壶夜蛾的寿命为53.18±1.70 d, 存活率为63.62%±2.15%, 其中幼虫的发育历期最长, 存活率最低, 卵的发育历期最短, 存活率最高, 雄成虫的存活时间显著长于雌成虫（P=0.008）。6龄幼虫的发育历期（5.29±0.15 d）显著长于其余各龄幼虫（P<0.001）。同一龄发育中期幼虫的体长和体重显著大于将蜕皮幼虫和刚蜕皮幼虫（P≤0.037）; 第2-6龄刚蜕皮幼虫的体重和体长与前一龄发育中期幼虫之间没有显著差异（P≥0.106）。幼虫在光期的孵化、 蜕皮和化蛹比例高于暗期, 而成虫在暗期的飞行、 产卵比例高于光期, 成虫的飞行随着暗期时间的增加而逐渐变少, 光期成虫的飞行主要在开灯之后1 h。成虫交配集中在暗期的第3-5 小时。本研究结果有助于制定有效的嘴壶夜蛾防治措施, 而且为嘴壶夜蛾作为嗅觉研究模式奠定基础。     

Pace‐of‐life: Relationships among locomotor activity,life history,and circadian rhythm in the assassin bug,Amphibolus venator

The pace‐of‐life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis means that animal behavior is correlated with life history strategies. Studies have reported that the free‐running period of the circadian rhythm (length of the period) is correlated with life history strategies in some animals. Although the length of the circadian rhythm may be associated with the POLS hypothesis, few studies have investigated the relationships among animal behavior, life history traits, and circadian rhythm. We tested the POLS hypothesis in the assassin bug, Amphibolus venator, which shows individual variation in locomotor activity. We found higher repeatability of differences in locomotor activity between individuals. Moreover, we found a trade‐off between locomotor activity and developmental period such that active individuals developed faster. However, locomotor activity was not correlated with the length of the circadian rhythm in A. venator. Therefore, this study suggests that the length of the circadian rhythm in A. venator does not support the POLS hypothesis.     

Retrieving chronological age from dental remains of early fossil hominins to reconstruct human growth in the past

A chronology of dental development in Pan troglodytes is arguably the best available model with which to compare and contrast reconstructed dental chronologies of the earliest fossil hominins. Establishing a time scale for growth is a requirement for being able to make further comparative observations about timing and rate during both dento-skeletal growth and brain growth. The absolute timing of anterior tooth crown and root formation appears not to reflect the period of somatic growth. In contrast, the molar dentition best reflects changes to the total growth period. Earlier initiation of molar mineralization, shorter crown formation times, less root length formed at gingival emergence into functional occlusion are cumulatively expressed as earlier ages at molar eruption. Things that are similar in modern humans and Pan, such as the total length of time taken to form individual teeth, raise expectations that these would also have been the same in fossil hominins. The best evidence there is from the youngest fossil hominin specimens suggests a close resemblance to the model for Pan but also hints that Gorilla may be a better developmental model for some. A mosaic of great ape-like features currently best describes the timing of early hominin dental development.     

The human post‐fertile lifespan in comparative evolutionary context

There persist two widely held but mutually inconsistent views on the evolution of post‐fertile lifespan of human females. The first, prevalent within anthropology, sees post‐fertile lifespan (PFLS) in the light of adaptive processes, focusing on the social and economic habits of humans that selected for a lengthy PFLS. 1 - 3 This view rests on the assumption that human PFLS is distinct from that of other species, and focuses on quantifying the selective causes and consequences of that difference. The second view, prevalent within gerontology and comparative biology, emphasizes that PFLS is a phylogenetically widespread trait 4 - 6 or that human PFLS is predictable based on life‐history allometries. 7 In this view, human PFLS is part of a broad cross‐species pattern and its genesis cannot, therefore, rely on human‐specific traits. Those who advocate the second view have questioned the “special pleading” for human specific explanations of PFLS, 4 and have argued that human PFLS is quantitatively greater but not qualitatively different than PFLS in many other animals. 5 , 8 Papers asking whether human PFLS is explained by the importance of mothers more than grandmothers, whether paternal or maternal grandparents have more of an effect on child survival, or who is providing the excess calories are associated with the first view that assumes the need to explain the existence of human PFLS on the basis of a uniquely human socioecology. Anthropologists largely see human PFLS as derived, while comparative gerontologists point to evidence that it is one instance of a ubiquitous cross‐species pattern. The two groups generally occupy non‐overlapping research circles, in terms of conferences and journals, and therefore interact little enough to largely avoid the need to reconcile their views, allowing the persistence of misconceptions in each field. Our goal is to identify and address the most important of these misconceptions and thereby make clear that both of these seemingly incongruent views contain valid points. We argue that two distinct but related traits have been lumped together under the same concept of “post‐reproductive lifespan,” one (post‐fertile viability) that is tremendously widespread and another (a post‐fertile life stage) that is derived to hominins, and that the differences and connections between these two traits are necessary for understanding human life‐history evolution.     

Temporal Organization in Locomotor Activity of the Hypogean Loach, Nemacheilus Evezardi, and its Epigean Ancestor

Locomotor activity rhythm in the hypogean population of Nemacheilus evezardi was recorded first under light-to-dark (LD) 12 : 12 h cycle and then DD. The results were compared with that of its epigean counterpart held under comparable regimes. In LD 12 : 12, while hypogean loach exhibited a distinct bimodality in its locomotor activity rhythm, it was altogether absent in the case of epigean population. In hypogean loach, dark-to-light transition peak in LD was observed to free-run under DD. The same was not discernible in case of epigean loach. The locomotor activity rhythm in epigean fish was noticed to free-run in DD either from the dawn peak or dusk peak in LD. It is hypothesized that the hypogean fish still possesses a functional oscillator underlying its overt circadian rhythm in locomotor activity. The ecophysiological significance of these findings is yet to be fully understood.     

Influence of environmental factors on the wandering phase and pupariation in stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, larvae

Abstract. Components of the wandering phase of mature stable fly ( Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae)) larvae were examined. The mean length of the wandering phase was estimated to be 10.6 ± 3.5 h. In a factorial experiment in which wandering larvae were allowed to pupate in media with three levels each of moisture, temperature and light, the mean time to 50% pupariation was delayed and the rate of pupariation was lowest at high moisture levels, but this latter effect was seen only at the moderate light level. Pupae in media with higher moisture contents had significantly higher fresh weights. However, none of the three factors affected dry weight of pupae. A significant interaction was observed between the effects of moisture and temperature on survival; only at highest moisture content and at the highest temperature did a significant decrease in survival occur. In a separate experiment, density was found to have no effect on mean time to 50% pupariation or the rate of pupariation. Puparium formation appeared to be random under a LD 169 h photocycle, showing no apparent circadian rhythm.     

Pattern and pace of dental eruption in Tarsius

This article uses data on the dental eruption pattern and life history of Tarsius to test the utility of Schultz's rule. Schultz's rule claims a relationship between the relative pattern of eruption and the absolute pace of dental development and life history and may be useful in reconstructing life histories in extinct primates. Here, we document an unusual eruption pattern in Tarsius combining early eruption (relative to molars) of anterior replacement teeth (P2 and incisors) and relatively late eruption of the posterior replacement teeth (C, P3, and P4). This eruption pattern does not accurately predict the "slow" pace of life documented for Tarsius [Roberts: Int J Primatol 15 (1994) 1-28], nor aspects of life history directly associated with dental development as would be expected using Schultz's rule. In Tarsius, the anterior teeth and M1 erupt at an early age and therefore are not only fast in a relative sense but also fast in an absolute sense. This seems to be related to a developmental anomaly in the deciduous precursor teeth, which are essentially skipped. This decoupling among dental eruption pattern, dental eruption pace, and life history pace in Tarsius undermines the assumptions that life histories can accurately be described as "fast" or "slow" and that dental eruption pattern alone can be used to infer overall life history pace. The relatively and absolutely early eruption of the anterior dentition may be due to the utility of these front teeth in early food acquisition rather than with the pace of life history.     

The effect of rate of eruption on periodontal ligament glycosylaminoglycan content and enamel formation in the rat incisor

The rate of eruption of rat mandibular incisors was either increased by cutting one tooth out of occlusion or eliminated by means of pinning. The effects of such changes in eruption rate on the sulphated glycosylaminoglycan content of the periodontal ligaments was analysed. The length of the enamel secretory zone and the composition of the developing enamel matrix protein was also compared. Sulphated glycosylaminoglycan content of the periodontal ligament increased fourfold (P<0.001) during accelerated eruption but decreased to a corresponding extent (P<0.001) in the absence of eruption, when compared with controls. The length of the enamel secretory zone was also significantly reduced in the immobilised teeth, although the protein content was similar compared with controls. The results demonstrate the differential response to varied eruption rates of the periodontal ligament and enamel, particularly in respect of the extracellular matrix. The data are consistent with the view that the ground substance of the periodontal ligament plays a role in the generation of the eruptive force.     

Fetal growth and development of the coypu (Myocastor coypus): Prenatal growth,tooth eruption,and cranial ossification

We examined the fetal growth and development of the coypu (Myocastor coypus), a member of the Caviomorpha that produces extremely precocial young. Analyses of 69 fetuses derived from the latter half of the prenatal period (60–125 days of gestation) focused on external feature growth and development, tooth eruption, and cranial ossification. There were four developmental stages based on morphological characteristics; major external changes predominated over somatic growth in the early stages by 100–105 days of gestation, whereas the last stage was a time of rapid somatic growth. Growth rate was greater in hind foot length (4.3) than in fore foot length (3.4). Soft X-ray photos from 120 to 125 days of gestation show that the incisors, premolars, and first molars were completely calcified, and the second molars were present in the alveolus but not completely calcified. The occlusal surfaces of these teeth were subjected to wear. We analyzed the bone and cartilage of the coypu fetal cranium using a double-staining method. Early ossification of the jugular processes of the occipital bone was a prominent feature of coypu development. The digastric muscle originates on the jugular process, and early ossification should be linked to an adaptation to the herbivorous habit of weaned young coypu. Additionally, the sizes and closure times of six fontanelles are correlated with gestational age and are suggested as a comparative parameter for fetal maturity within and between mammalian species.     

Development and relationships of locomotor, feeding, and oxygen consumption rhythms in house crickets

ABSTRACT. Locomotor, feeding, drinking, and oxygen consumption rhythms in adult virgin Acheta domesticus L. all appear to peak in the first half of the scotophase, be entrained cophasically by a LD 14:10 h cycle, have a lights-off Zeitgeber and persist in LL with a π c. 25 h for the locomotor rhythm and c. 23 h for the oxygen consumption rhythm. There is no evidence of these rhythms in last instar larvae. The onset of the locomotor rhythm requires 3 days at 30°C but 5–7 days at 25–28°C after the final ecdysis in virgins, indicating a temperature related development of the locomotor rhythm. Oxygen consumption rhythms are lacking in 2-day-old virgins but present in 8-day-old virgins. Feeding rhythms can be recorded in virgins as young as 2 days (before locomotor rhythm developed). Both oxygen consumption and locomotor rhythms persist during starvation. The results suggest that a central brain oscillator drives both feeding and locomotor rhythms independently, but that the oxygen consumption rhythm is derived from the metabolic demands associated with the other rhythms.     

The evolutionary ecology of early weaning in Kilimanjaro,Tanzania

Public health recommendations promote prolonged breastfeeding of all children; however, parental investment (PI) theory predicts that breastfeeding will be allocated among a mothers'' offspring to maximize her reproductive success. We evaluated PI in terms of risk for weaning before age two among 283 children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Results demonstrate: (i) a Trivers–Willard effect—high socioeconomic status (SES) females and low SES males were more likely to be weaned early; (ii) later-born children were less likely to be weaned early; (iii) higher birthweight children were less likely to be weaned early, and (iv) no effect of cattle (a source of supplementary milk) ownership. These associations were largely independent and remained significant in models controlling for potential confounders; however, the inverse association between early weaning and birth order lost significance in the model containing birthweight. These patterns were observed despite public health recommendations encouraging breastfeeding for at least two years.     

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in human tooth enamel: Identifying breastfeeding and weaning in prehistory

This paper investigates the utility of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in human dental enamel to reveal patterns of breastfeeding and weaning in prehistory. Enamel preserves a record of childhood diet that can be studied in adult skeletons. Comparing different teeth, we used δ¹³C to document the introduction of solid foods to infant diets and δ¹⁸O to monitor the decline of breastfeeding. We report enamel carbonate δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O of 33 first molars, 35 premolars, and 25 third molars from 35 burials from Kaminaljuyú, an early state in the valley of Guatemala. The skeletons span from Middle Preclassic through Late Postclassic occupations, ca. 700 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Sections of enamel were removed from each tooth spanning from the cusp to the cemento-enamel junction. Stable isotope ratios were measured on CO₂ liberated by reaction of enamel with H₃PO₄ in an automated carbonate system attached to a VG Optima mass spectrometer. Within a skeleton, teeth developing at older ages are more enriched in ¹³C and more depleted in ¹⁸O than teeth developing at younger ages. Premolars average 0.5% higher in δ¹³C than first molars from the same skeleton (P = 0.0001), but third molars are not significantly enriched over premolars. The shift from first molars to premolars may be due to the shift to solid foods from lipid-rich milk. After 2 years, when premolars begin to mineralize, the δ¹³C in childhood diets did not change systematically. First molars and premolars are similar in δ¹⁸O, but third molars average 0.7% lower than first molars (P = 0.0001) and 0.5% lower than premolars (P = 0.0003). First molar and premolar δ¹⁸O is heavier, because breast milk is more enriched in ¹⁸O than is drinking water. Hence, many children continued to nurse during the period of premolar formation. Together, these results indicate that Kaminaljuyú children had begun to eat solid maize foods before the age of 2 years but continued to drink breast milk until much later. Am J Phys Anthropol 106:1–18, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The meaning of weaning in wild Phayre's leaf monkeys: Last nipple contact,survival, and independence

In primates and other mammals, weaning is an equivocal concept, as is reflected in the numerous ways it is measured: a) first intake of solid food, b) conflict over access to the nipple, c) ability to survive without mother, d) maternal resumption of cycling, or e) the cessation of nipple contact. The lack of a consistent definition means that weaning age, although it falls between gestation (fetal growth) and age at first reproduction (most energy diverted from growth), is currently not a reliable life history variable capturing offspring independence. Using data for wild Phayre's leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei crepusculus) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand (51 offspring, four groups), we asked whether the end of nipple contact indicates offspring independence as measured by survival to 3 years. To establish a baseline for the onset of independence, we assessed the youngest age at which individuals were orphaned (15–17 months) but then survived to 3 years. Next we determined that offspring age at last nipple contact (19.0 months) was comparable to two other independently calculated measures: offspring age at mother's first postpartum ovulation (11.5 months), and age at mother's re‐conception (15.6 months). Using these separate “starting points,” we arrived at similar ages for nipple contact cessation (18.4 and 19.2 months, respectively). Overall, in wild (but not in provisioned) Asian colobines, age at last nipple contact was allometrically related to adult female body mass, supporting its designation as a life history variable. Future comparisons need to show if this holds for other taxa. Am J Phys Anthropol 154:291–301, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.