Related Experiment Videos
[Dental enamel prisms of Mesopithecus pentelicus Wagner, 1839, compared with recent cercopithecids (Primates:
Folia Primatologica; International Journal of Primatology
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Dental enamel prism morphology in Cercopithecidae monkeys, including fossil Mesopithecus, reveals distinct patterns. These patterns aid in classifying subfamilies and confirm Mesopithecus
Area of Science:
- Primate Paleontology
- Dental Morphology
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Dental enamel prism structure is a key feature for primate classification.
- Previous studies have noted primitive features in the fossil primate Mesopithecus.
- Understanding enamel prism morphology aids in resolving taxonomic relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare dental enamel prism morphology across Cercopithecidae genera.
- To compare the enamel prism morphology of extant cercopithecids with the fossil Mesopithecus pentelicus.
- To utilize scanning electron microscopy and acid etching for detailed prism analysis.
Main Methods:
- Dental enamel prisms were examined using scanning electron microscopy.
- Tooth surfaces were etched with hydrochloric acid to enhance prism visibility.
- Prism morphology was described and compared across different genera and subfamilies.
Main Results:
- Two distinct enamel prism types were identified, correlating with Cercopithecinae and Colobinae subfamilies.
- Cercopithecinae exhibited slender prisms (e.g., Macaca, Cercopithecus), with exceptions in Papio.
- Colobinae displayed broader, rounded prisms, with Mesopithecus showing strong similarity to Presbytis (Colobinae).
Conclusions:
- Dental enamel prism morphology provides a reliable basis for distinguishing cercopithecid subfamilies.
- The study confirms the placement of Mesopithecus within the Colobinae subfamily.
- Shared enamel prism features provide further evidence for Mesopithecus' affinities with Asiatic Colobines.