Evolutionary significance of the mandibular foramen area in Neandertals.
Am J Phys Anthropol, 1978/5;48(4):523-31.
PMID: 96699
Impact factor: 2.963
Abstract
An unusual morphology of the mandibular foramen area is described, and its incidence determined for several fossil and modern hominid skeletal samples. This morphology, designated the horizontal-oval type mandibular foramen, is found in 46.2% of the 26 Neandertal foramina examined and in 23.1% of a European Upper Paleolithic sample of 13 foramina. In a total of 747 foramina from five modern skeletal samples, the highest incidence is 3.72%. Possible explanations for the presence of the H-0 trait and its unusually high incidence in Neandertals are examined. It is concluded that this feature is probably a genetic trait which either (1) might be selected for in Neandertals as a part of a massive masticatory apparatus, or (2) represents a discrete cranial trait without functional significance that simply reflects the high incidence of certain genes in Neandertal gene pools.
MeSH terms
Biological Evolution; Cephalometry; Fossils; Gene Pool; Haplorhini; History, Ancient; Humans; Mandible; Mastication; Paleontology; Selection, Genetic
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