The research study, published on December 8 in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, aimed to assess the diet of Archaeolemur by examining breaking in 447 teeth, comparing breaking frequencies to those of other primates.
Dr. Ian Towle. Credit: University of Otago.
The outcomes were surprising– with these exceptional extinct lemurs with dentitions resembling baboons in shape; but presenting tooth-chipping patterns similar to fossil hominins such as Neanderthals.
” Archaeolemur tooth breaking patterns are unlike any living primate, with their front teeth showing substantial fractures, frequently with numerous tooth chips on a single tooth, yet very little breaking on their back teeth.
” Similar tooth fracture patterns are observed in fossil hominins, such as Neanderthals. Generally, in Neanderthals these fracture patterns are thought to be related to tool-use habits,” Dr. Towle states.
The results fit with previous research on Archaeolemur, in particular, evidence that their robust and large front teeth might have been used to process a diet containing difficult and hard foods.
Dr. Towle thinks the study raises the “interesting possibility” that stone tools do not always describe the high rate of fractures on Neanderthal teeth.
” Archaeolemur reveals similar tooth breaking patterns, yet there is no proof to suggest they were capable of, or used, such tools.
” Studying extinct primates not just supplies important insight into their diet plan and behavior, but also clarifies our own evolutionary history.”
Offered the overlap in skull and dental shape, and prospective similarities in diet plan and habits, it is possibly not surprising that Archaeolemur was believed to be an ape when initially discovered in Madagascar over 100 years earlier.
” Archaeolemur is a brilliant example of convergent advancement, revealing impressive resemblances to monkeys and apes. This types likewise highlights the degree to which lemurs in Madagascar diversified into a variety of environmental specific niches.”
Reference: “Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior” by Ian Towle, Paul J. Constantino, Matthew R. Borths and Carolina Loch, 8 December 2022, American Journal of Biological Anthropology.DOI: 10.1002/ ajpa.24674.
Dr. Carolina Loch, also from Sir John Walsh Research Institute, and who mentored Dr. Towle throughout his tenure as postdoctoral fellow at the SJWRI, says the research is another excellent example of the “breadth and depth of multidisciplinary research study” at the Faculty of Dentistry.
Archaeolemur skull revealing a large and robust anterior dentition. Credit: Ian Towle
Fascinating ideas to the development of human beings have actually been revealed through the analysis of the teeth of extinct lemurs. This is according to the findings of a new study by the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Dr. Ian Towle, lead author of the research study, says the “remarkably big” monkey lemur, Archaeolemur, had unique physiological functions not seen in living lemurs, such as doing not have a tooth comb in the front of the mouth for grooming. Towle remains in the Faculty of Dentistry of the Sir John Walsh Research Institute at the University of Otago
” These extinct lemurs are so various to those alive today. They likewise show interesting resemblances to monkeys and apes, including human beings,” he says.