Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00347/2
Dietary adaptations of extant primates and Plio-Pleistocene hominids: masticatory biomechanics and teeth.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor G.A. MacHo, Roehampton University, Psychology
- Grant held at:
- Roehampton University, Psychology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Science-Based Archaeology
- Palaeobiology
- Abstract:
- Craniodental remains of hominids are abundant in the fossil record and form the basis for phylogenetic interpretations. However, the dietary adaptations of these species remain elusive. In part, this is due to the peculiar morphologies exhibited by some species, which combine enormous post-canine tooth crown areas, indicative of great chewing forces, with relatively delicate facial features and poor muscle markings. Here we propose that this apparent discrepancy stems from our inability to determine the biomechanical behaviour of teeth from gross morphology alone. In other words, big teeth need not necessarily be strong and vice versa. In order to test and resolve this issue we have developed a novel interactive computer model (Jiang et al., 2003; Macho et al., 2003) which allows us to reconstruct the 3-dimensional arrangement of prisms from broken tooth surfaces. We found that extant and extinct primates vary considerably in the patterning of prism arrangement and surmised that this may confer different biomechanical properties to the tissues. Our models of enamel microstructure are currently being converted to finite element models for biomechanical testing (FESA). Once the biomechanical behaviour of the different structures has been established, we will be in a better position to assess the functional adaptations of extinct species. Such testing is labour-intensive and time-consuming and will form the core of the proposed project. To validate our models, to aid interpretation and to determine whether there is indeed a mismatch between craniodental features in some hominid species, we also propose to develop species-specific dynamic models of mastication (ADAMS software). The biomechanical models will first be created for extant species and will be based on biomechanical principles, actualistic data of craniofacial morphology and experimental data published in the scientific literature. The specific predictions made by these models will be appraised against the results of our FE models of teeth. This combined multidisciplinary approach is likely to shed new light on the dietary adaptations of Plio-Pleistocene hominids.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2003/00347/2
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £88,915
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £4,403 | £42,313 | £7,098 | £6,845 | £28,254 |
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