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Dental eruption sequence among colobine primates.
1Ph.D. Program in Anthropology, Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, USA.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|April 15, 2000
Summary
This study reveals diverse dental eruption sequences in colobine primates, linking early molar eruption to diet and life history. Nasalis species uniquely lacks this early eruption pattern among colobines.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Anthropology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Dental development is a key indicator of growth, diet, and life history.
- Previous research on colobine dental eruption sequences dates back to Schultz (1935).
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the dental eruption sequence for various colobine species.
- To compare colobine dental eruption patterns with other catarrhines.
- To investigate the relationship between dental development, diet, and life history in colobines.
Main Methods:
- Examined 204 juvenile colobine mandibles and maxillae.
- Scored permanent teeth for presence/absence and eruption stages.
- Defined eruption from tooth emergence to full occlusion.
Main Results:
- African colobines (C. guereza, C. angolensis, P. badius) show M2 erupting before I2; canine eruption is delayed.
- Asian colobines exhibit varied sequences: Nasalis resembles Macaca, while Trachypithecus and Pygathrix have M2 before I2.
- Presbytis shows early M2 and M3 eruption. Most colobines, except Nasalis larvatus, display relatively early M2 and M3 eruption.
Conclusions:
- Dental eruption sequences in colobines are diverse and reflect life history patterns.
- Early molar eruption may be an adaptation to folivory, suggesting faster growth rates.
- The unique pattern in Nasalis distinguishes it from other colobines studied.