Models for assessing relative canine size in fossil hominids

The methods for determining the taxonomic significance of differences in relative canine size in hominids are discussed. Allometric coefficients are calculated for canine size/body size and canine size/molar size relationships in five primate taxa. The results of coefficients determined for separate sex, combined sex and “interspecific” slopes indicate that when body size increases, the rate of increase in canine size is as great as and, in many cases, greater than the rate of increase in molar size. Thus, the pattern of negative canine allometry determined from samples of fossil hominids by Wolpoff (1978) reflects the choice of hominid sample, and should not be used as a general criterion for deciding whether differences in canine/molar dental proportions are size-related phenomena.