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Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior.

Ian Towle1, Paul J Constantino2, Matthew R Borths3

  • 1Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

American Journal of Biological Anthropology
|February 15, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Dental chipping analysis reveals extinct lemur Archaeolemur (Archaeolemur) extensively processed food with its front teeth. This pattern, common in omnivores, suggests a diet including tough items, unlike most other primates.

Keywords:
Archaeolemuridaeanterior tooth chippingsub‐fossil lemurstooth fractures

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Primate Anatomy
  • Paleoecology

Background:

  • Archaeolemur, an extinct lemur genus, exhibits derived dentition resembling some Old World monkeys.
  • Previous studies suggest an omnivorous diet for Archaeolemur, including mechanically challenging foods, based on morphology, coprolites, isotopes, and enamel structure.
  • Microwear analysis of posterior teeth has not fully supported this dietary hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate dental chipping patterns in Archaeolemur to infer dietary habits.
  • To compare chipping frequencies across the dentition of Archaeolemur.
  • To compare Archaeolemur's chipping patterns with those of other primate species.

Main Methods:

  • Macroscopic analysis of dental chipping on permanent teeth from 53 Archaeolemur individuals (447 teeth).
  • Recording and quantifying enamel chipping prevalence on anterior and posterior teeth.
  • Comparative analysis of chipping patterns across different tooth types (incisors, caniniforms, premolars, molars).

Main Results:

  • Enamel chipping was significantly more prevalent on anterior teeth (38.9%) than posterior teeth (9%) in Archaeolemur.
  • Chipping frequency decreased distally: incisors (50%), caniniform teeth (30%), premolars (9.5%), and molars (8.5%).
  • High anterior tooth chipping rates were observed, uncommon in primates except hominins.

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of chipping on anterior teeth supports the hypothesis of extensive food processing in Archaeolemur.
  • This suggests Archaeolemur utilized its incisors and caniniform teeth for manipulating and processing mechanically challenging food items.
  • The findings indicate a varied omnivorous diet for Archaeolemur, with a unique pattern of anterior dental use compared to most other primates.