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Human-like enamel growth in Homo naledi

Mahoney, Patrick, McFarlane, Gina, Taurozzi, Alberto J, Madupe, Palesa P, O'Hara, Mackie C, Molopyane, Keneiloe, Cappellini, Enrico, Hawkes, John, Skinner, Matthew M., Berger, Lee and others. (2024) Human-like enamel growth in Homo naledi. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 184 (1). pp. 1-14. ISSN 2692-7691. (doi:10.1002/ajpa.24893) (KAR id:104302)

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Abstract

Objectives

A modern pattern (rate and duration) of dental development occurs relatively recently during human evolution. Given the temporal overlap of Homo naledi with the first appearance of fossil Homo sapiens in Africa, this small-bodied and small-brained hominin presents an opportunity to elucidate the evolution of enamel growth in the hominin clade. Here we conduct the first histological study of two permanent mandibular canines and one permanent maxillary first molar, representing three individuals attributed to H. naledi. We reconstruct the rate and duration of enamel growth and compare these findings to those reported for other fossil hominins and recent humans.

Materials and Methods

Thin sections of each tooth were produced using standard histological methods. Daily and longer period incremental markings were measured to reconstruct enamel secretion and crown extension rates, Retzius periodicity, canine crown and molar cusp formation time.

Results

Daily enamel secretion rates overlapped with those from recent hominins. Canine crown formation time is similar to that observed in recent Europeans but is longer than canine formation times reported for most other hominins including Australopithecus and H. neanderthalensis. The extended period of canine formation appears to be due to a relatively tall enamel crown and a sustained slow rate of enamel extension in the cervical portion of the crown. A Retzius periodicity of 11 days for the canines, and nine days for the molar, in H. naledi parallel results found in recent humans. An 11-day periodicity has not been reported for Late Pleistocene Homo (H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis) and is rarely found in Australopithecus and Paranthropus species

Discussion

Enamel growth of H. naledi is most similar to recent humans though comparative data are limited for most fossil hominin species. The high Retzius periodicity values do not follow expectations for a small-brained hominin.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/ajpa.24893
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Funders: Leverhulme Trust (https://ror.org/012mzw131)
Royal Society (https://ror.org/03wnrjx87)
Depositing User: Patrick Mahoney
Date Deposited: 15 Dec 2023 08:55 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/104302 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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