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Variations in molar enamel thickness among primates

R P Shellis1, A D Beynon, D J Reid

  • 1MRC Dental Group Dental School, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, U.K. r.p.shellis@bristol.ac.uk

Journal of Human Evolution
|October 17, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Primate molar enamel thickness varies by group, with anthropoids showing thicker enamel than prosimians. Human enamel is thick, while gorillas have thin enamel, offering insights into hominoid evolution and dietary adaptations.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Primate Anatomy
  • Dental Morphology

Background:

  • Molar enamel thickness is crucial for diet adaptation due to its hardness and abrasion resistance.
  • Enamel thickness is also a key factor in understanding hominoid phylogenetic relationships.
  • Previous studies have explored enamel thickness in relation to diet and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze enamel thickness and tooth size relationships across all primates.
  • To compare hominoid enamel thickness variations within the broader primate context.

Main Methods:

  • Measurements of tooth size, enamel thickness, and enamel quantity were taken.
  • Analysis was based on longitudinal sections of 125 molars from 39 primate species.
  • Statistical analysis explored allometry in enamel thickness relative to tooth size and body weight.

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Main Results:

  • Two distinct grades of enamel thickness were identified: prosimians had thinner enamel than anthropoids for comparable tooth size or body weight.
  • Among anthropoids, enamel thickness scaling with tooth size and body weight exhibited positive allometry.
  • Hominoid enamel thickness varied: Hylobates had average, Homo had thick, and Gorilla had thin enamel; Pan and Pongo showed intermediate or thin enamel depending on the tooth type.

Conclusions:

  • Primate enamel thickness displays significant intergroup variation, correlating with phylogenetic and ecological factors.
  • Specific hominoid groups exhibit distinct enamel thickness patterns, potentially reflecting evolutionary adaptations.
  • These findings contribute to understanding hominoid evolution and the functional significance of dental morphology.