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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Sex differences in anthropoid mandibular canine lateral enamel formation
Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg1, Rebecca J Ferrell, Jennifer Spence
1Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. guatelli-steinbe.1@osu.edu
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|April 8, 2009
Summary
Male primates achieve larger canine sizes primarily through prolonged growth, not accelerated development. This study reveals similar growth patterns in both catarrhine and platyrrhine primates for canine sexual dimorphism.
Area of Science:
- Primate Paleontology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Dental Anthropology
Background:
- Canine sexual dimorphism varies across primate species.
- Previous research suggests different growth strategies (prolonged vs. accelerated) in catarrhines and platyrrhines for canine size.
- Understanding these ontogenetic pathways is crucial for evolutionary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that canine sexual dimorphism develops differently in catarrhines and platyrrhines.
- To compare the number and spacing of perikymata (enamel growth increments) in male and female primate canines.
- To investigate the role of growth duration and rate in canine dimorphism.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of canine crown perikymata in male and female primates from catarrhine (Hylobates, Papio, Macaca, Cercopithecus, Cercocebus) and platyrrhine (Cebus, Ateles, Callicebus) genera.
- Determination of perikymata periodicities (growth duration) using existing and new data for selected genera.
- Statistical analysis to assess sex differences in perikymata number and periodicity.
Main Results:
- Males exhibit significantly more perikymata than females in most studied genera, correlating with the degree of sexual dimorphism.
- No systematic sex differences were found in perikymata periodicities, indicating consistent growth duration.
- Minor contributions of enamel formation rates to canine dimorphism were observed in specific genera (Papio, Cercopithecus).
Conclusions:
- Prolongation of male canine growth is the primary mechanism for canine crown sexual dimorphism in both catarrhines and platyrrhines.
- The ontogenetic pathway for canine dimorphism appears conserved across these major primate groups.
- Findings challenge previous notions of accelerated growth as a primary driver in platyrrhines.
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