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The deciduous dentition of Homo naledi: A comparative study
Shara E Bailey1, Juliet K Brophy2, Jacopo Moggi-Cecchi3
1Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York United States; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, USA; Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
Journal of Human Evolution
|September 24, 2019
Summary
The study analyzed Homo naledi deciduous teeth, revealing a unique dental morphology. This mosaic of features supports its classification as a distinct species within the Homo genus.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Human Evolution
- Dental Morphology
Background:
- Homo naledi, identified in 2015 from South African cave remains, has undergone extensive study.
- Deciduous teeth offer crucial insights into hominin evolution due to their strong genetic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Homo naledi deciduous teeth with a wide range of hominin species.
- To further assess the taxonomic validity of Homo naledi using deciduous dental evidence.
Main Methods:
- Morphological comparison of Homo naledi deciduous teeth.
- Analysis included Australopithecus, Paranthropus, early Homo, and various Homo species.
Main Results:
- Homo naledi deciduous teeth exhibit a unique mosaic of features, expanding on permanent tooth morphology.
- Specific features include an asymmetrical lower canine, a unique upper first molar, a molarized lower first molar, and simplified second molars.
Conclusions:
- The unique deciduous dental characters support the classification of Homo naledi as a new species.
- The precise phylogenetic position of Homo naledi among other Homo species remains uncertain.
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