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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
A modular framework characterizes micro- and macroevolution of old world monkey dentitions
Theresa M Grieco1, Oliver T Rizk, Leslea J Hlusko
1Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|January 8, 2013
Summary
Evolutionary developmental biology reveals modularity in primate dentition. This study identifies distinct tooth modules in Old World monkeys, linking developmental processes to evolutionary patterns in dental morphology.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Paleontology
Background:
- Modularity is crucial for integrating developmental processes into phenotypic evolution.
- The primate dentition is an ideal model for studying modularity due to its developmental simplicity, adaptive significance, and fossil record.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test hypotheses about genetic modularity using phenotypic variation in primate dentition.
- To assess the macroevolutionary extent of dental modularity across Old World monkeys (OWMs).
Main Methods:
- Quantitative genetic analysis of baboon dental size variation.
- Analysis of covariation in dentitions of six OWM species using linear tooth size and geometric morphometrics (GM) of tooth row shape.
Main Results:
- A genetic modular framework corresponding to tooth type categories was identified in baboon dentition.
- OWMs exhibit a macroevolutionary framework of anterior and postcanine dental modules, with submodularity between molars and premolars for both size and shape.
- Results suggest early developmental processes influence adult dental variation in OWMs.
Conclusions:
- Dental modularity in OWMs is influenced by developmental processes like odontogenesis and jaw patterning.
- This study compares genotypic and phenotypic modules, offering insights into their evolutionary dynamics across different timescales.
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