American Journal of Biological Anthropology

Sexual dimorphism in the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) of permanent canines of European modern humans

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Objectives Dental anthropological investigations into sexual dimorphism have conventionally concentrated on evaluating the dimensions and configuration of the enamel cap of canines. However, the morphology of the crown dentine surface can be closely linked to that of the enamel surface. This link can facilitate examination of crown morphology even when the enamel surface is slightly worn. Here, we determine if the morphology of the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) differs within (maxillary vs. mandibular) and between a sample of male (n = 26) and female (n = 21) contemporary human permanent canines from Europe. Methods The morphological data of the EDJ were gathered employing a template comprising 96 landmarks and sliding semilandmarks. Subsequently, the data underwent analysis through form space principal component analysis following Procrustes registration, utilizing standard 3D geometric morphometric techniques. Results Significant differences in the morphology of the EDJ were observed between the sexes, particularly concerning the overall shape of the crown, the symmetry of the mesial and distal edges, and the development of the distal accessory ridge. Conclusions Sex differences in the morphology of the EDJ could relate in part to retention of the canine-premolar honing complex in males. Our results indicate that analyses of the permanent canine EDJ may potentially provide a novel method for estimating the sex of adult and nonadult skeletons.

Crown tissue proportions and enamel thickness distribution in early Pleistocene Homo antecessor maxillary premolars (Atapuerca, Spain)

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Objectives Both morphometric and proteomic studies have revealed the close relationship of Homo antecessor with Neanderthals and H. sapiens. Considering this relationship, we aim to characterize the Early Pleistocene Atapuerca-Gran Dolina (TD6) maxillary premolars to test if their pattern of enamel thickness is shared with Neanderthals or H. sapiens. Materials and Methods We employed microcomputed tomography to estimate 2D and 3D tissue proportions in seven H. antecessor maxillary premolars, belonging to two individuals: H1 and H3, and compared them to a sample of extinct and extant Homo populations of African, Asian and European origin (n = 52). Results Our results reveal a different pattern of enamel thickness between the Atapuerca-Gran Dolina two individuals. While TD6-H1 possesses thin-enameled crowns, with a clear affinity with Neanderthals, TD6-H3 exhibits the thick pattern, a trait shared with the majority of fossil hominins and H. sapiens. Discussion This work provides new data on upper premolar enamel thickness in H. antecessor. By documenting both a thin and a thick pattern of enamel thickness in the TD6 sample, we warn about the taxonomic utility of this feature in the characterization of isolated remains. We suggest that the thin enamel condition would have emerged during the Early Pleistocene and it became the most frequent and typical condition in Neanderthals. Possible causes for the pattern observed in TD6 include sexual dimorphism or presence of two populations in the sample; however, population variability is the most plausible explanation with a character expression intermediate between those of Neanderthals and other members of the genus Homo. This interpretation is compatible with the phylogenetic position of H. antecessor close to the ancestor of Neanderthals and H. sapiens.

Early and Middle Pleistocene hominins from Atapuerca (Spain) show differences in dental developmental patterns

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The Bayesian statistical approach considers teeth as forming a developmental module, as opposed to a tooth-by-tooth analysis. This approach has been employed to analyze Upper Pleistocene hominins, including Neandertals and some anatomically modern humans, but never earlier populations. Here, we show its application on five hominins from the TD6.2 level of the Gran Dolina site (Homo antecessor, Early Pleistocene) and the Sima de los Huesos site (Middle Pleistocene) of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, northern Spain). Our results show an advanced development of the third molars in both populations with respect to modern Homo sapiens. In addition, the Sima de los Huesos hominins differ from H. sapiens and H. antecessor in the relatively advanced development of their second molar. The relative mineralization of I1/M1 in H. antecessor appears to be similar to that of modern humans, as opposed to that of Neandertals, which appear to be unique. These observations, combined with reduced enamel formation times and the advanced development of the third molars, appear to indicate a shorter ontogenetic period in the hominins from Gran Dolina and Sima de los Huesos in comparison to modern human average.