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Dental microwear of Griphopithecus alpani
T King1, L C Aiello, P Andrews
1Human Origins Group, Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, U.K. t.king@nhm.ac.uk
Journal of Human Evolution
|January 30, 1999
Summary
Dental microwear analysis of Griphopithecus alpani suggests a diet similar to orangutans, primarily fruit-based. This ancient hominoid may have consumed harder fruits and objects than modern apes.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Primatology
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- Microscopic dental wear analysis provides insights into the diets of extinct species.
- Understanding the dietary ecology of fossil hominoids is crucial for reconstructing hominoid evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct the diet of Griphopithecus alpani, a Miocene fossil hominoid.
- To compare the dental microwear patterns of Griphopithecus with extant hominoids (Gorilla, Pan, Pongo).
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine microscopic wear on the molar teeth of Griphopithecus alpani.
- Microwear variables (feature density, pit density, striation density, pit/striation ratios, pit/striation widths) were analyzed.
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare microwear patterns.
Main Results:
- Griphopithecus exhibited significantly higher microwear feature densities and pit percentages compared to Gorilla.
- Griphopithecus showed larger pit frequencies and narrower striations than both Pan and Gorilla.
- No significant microwear differences were found between Griphopithecus and Pongo.
Conclusions:
- The dental microwear suggests Griphopithecus' diet was more similar to Pongo (fruit-based, occasional hard items) than to Pan or Gorilla.
- Higher pit percentages in Griphopithecus may indicate consumption of harder fruits or objects.
- Dental microwear patterns did not vary significantly with sex or age in this study.