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Canine reduction in the miocene hominoid Oreopithecus bambolii: behavioural and evolutionary implications.

D M Alba1, S Moyà-Solà, M Köhler

  • 1Institut de Paleontologia M. Crusafont, c/ Escola Industrial 23, Barcelona, 08201 Sabadell, Spain. dmalba@eresmas.com

Journal of Human Evolution
|January 5, 2001
PubMed
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Fossil hominoid Oreopithecus bambolii shows canine reduction, resembling pygmy chimpanzees. This microdontia may be linked to developmental constraints and paedomorphic traits, not just behavior.

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Primate Evolution
  • Dental Morphology

Background:

  • Canine size and sexual dimorphism in primates are linked to behavior.
  • Oreopithecus bambolii is a fossil hominoid from the Late Miocene of Italy.
  • Previous studies suggested paedomorphic cranial morphology in Oreopithecus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate canine size sexual dimorphism and relative canine size in Oreopithecus bambolii.
  • To compare Oreopithecus' dental morphology with extant hominoids and its ancestor Dryopithecus.
  • To investigate potential mechanisms for canine reduction in Oreopithecus.

Main Methods:

  • Allometric techniques were used to analyze canine and molar size.
  • Body mass estimates were applied to fossil species.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparative analysis with living anthropoid primates was conducted.

    • Main Results:

    • Oreopithecus displayed significant canine height sexual dimorphism.
    • Oreopithecus males were microdont (smaller teeth than expected) compared to most hominoids and Dryopithecus.
    • Canine reduction in Oreopithecus, particularly basal area, resembled Pan paniscus.

    Conclusions:

    • Canine reduction in Oreopithecus may be an aspect of generalized microdontia, possibly an adaptive response to paedomorphic reduction of prognathism.
    • This mechanism, linked to developmental constraints, offers a novel explanation for canine reduction in anthropoid primates.
    • While behavioral changes cannot be ruled out, developmental factors provide a significant alternative interpretation.