Non-metric correspondence between Neandertal primary and permanent dentition
Date
2017
Authors
Erbil, Fatma Nur, author
Glantz, Michelle M., advisor
Pante, Michael C., committee member
Lacy, Michael G., committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The present study aims to understand the underpinnings of dental crown morphological development and provide a dental morphological comparison between the baby and adult teeth of Krapina Neandertals with the expectations of finding a correspondence between the two dentitions based on their dental non-metric trait frequencies. 19 non-metric traits were scored utilizing the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (Turner et al., 1991) on both deciduous and permanent teeth of 12 KDPs (Krapina Dental Person) (n=62). Associations between the two dentitions for 11 traits were tested applying the Somers' D measure of association statistics. Also, non-metric trait occurrence frequencies with the sample sizes and their range of variation were reported. The apparent morphological similarity between baby and adult teeth and also the inter-individual similarity observed in this study suggest a couple of points. First, it supports the assumptions that Krapina Neandertals represent a closely genetically related group. Second, it suggests that similar genes are responsible for the growth and development of the dental non-metric traits of both primary and permanent dentitions. Third, the unique and consistent dental morphological pattern at Krapina may have an adaptive significance for chewing. Lastly, the morphological similarity between deciduous second molar (dm2) and permanent first molar (M1) supports Butler (1939, 1967)'s field model which also posits that dm2 exhibits more morphological similarities with M1 than dm1 has with M1.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
Krapina
Neandertals
primary and permanent dentition
dental anthropology