Biomechanical scaling of mandibular dimensions in New World Monkeys |
| |
Authors: | Marianne Bouvier |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy, LSU Dental School, Louisiana State University Medical Center, 70119 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| |
Abstract: | Previous studies show that folivorous Old World monkeys have shorter, deeper mandibles and shorter, wider condyles than frugivorous
ones. These morphologies have been related to leaf mastication in colobines and ingestion of large, tough fruits in cercopithecines.
This study examines New World monkeys in order to determine whether they exhibit similar adaptations to diet. New World monkeys
have relatively long, transversely thin mandibles and somewhat deep mandibles and narrow condyles. Except for their deep mandibles,
folivorous New World monkeys (i.e., Alouatta) do not exhibit the mandibular and condylar specializations typical of cercopithecid
folivores. Reliance on comparatively nonfibrous foods plus alterations in masticatory muscle ratios among New World monkeys
partially accounts for observed differences between folivorous New and Old World monkeys. In addition, adaptations for howling
in Alouatta appear to have a significant effect on mandibular morphology. A biomechanical interpretation of craniofacial scaling
patterns suggests that the mandibles of New World monkeys are subjected to lower condylar loads and considerably less twisting
of the mandibular corpus than those of comparable Old World monkeys. |
| |
Keywords: | biomechanics mandible scaling primates |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|