Comparative dental study between Homo antecessor and Chinese Homo erectus: Nonmetric features and geometric morphometrics

Ontogenetic studies provide clues for understanding important paleobiological aspects of extinct species. When compared to that of modern humans, the adult Neanderthal thorax was shorter, deeper, and wider. This is related to the wide Neanderthal body and is consistent with their hypothetical large requirements for energy and oxygen. Whether these differences were already established at birth or appeared later during development is unknown. To delve into this question, we use virtual reconstruction tools and geometric morphometrics to recover the 3D morphology of the ribcages of four Neanderthal individuals from birth to around 3 years old: Mezmaiskaya 1, Le Moustier 2, Dederiyeh 1, and Roc de Marsal. Our results indicate that the comparatively deep and short ribcage of the Neanderthals was already present at birth, as were other skeletal species-specific traits. This morphology possibly represents the plesiomorphic condition shared with Homo erectus, and it is likely linked to large energetic requirements.

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Evolution of Cranial and Endocranial Profiles inHomoSpecies: a Study in 2D Geometric Morphometrics

Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d anthropologie de Paris ◽

10.1007/s13219-016-0161-x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (3-4) ◽

pp. 118-131

Author(s):

L. Albessard ◽

D. Grimaud-Hervé ◽

A. Balzeau

Keyword(s):

Geometric Morphometrics ◽

Homo Sapiens ◽

Brain Structures ◽

Homo Erectus ◽

Human Cognition ◽

Cranial Bone ◽

Cranial Morphology ◽

Anatomical Features ◽

Homo Neanderthalensis ◽

Object Of Study

Cranial anatomical features play a prominent part in the definition of extinctHomotaxa and in species identification in fossils. Thus, knowledge of cranial morphology considered within its geochronological framework is essential to the understanding of the evolution, chronology, and dispersal of the genusHomo. The brain is also a valuable object of study for research on human evolution, because of features such as its large size and a high encephalization quotient in someHomospecies, as well as the complexity of human cognition. However, the joint evolution of endo- and ectocranial anatomies is still little studied, and landmarks representing cerebral anatomy rather than inner cranial bone anatomy are still rarely used. This exploratory piece of research examines endo- and ectocranial profiles in samples representing 3Homotaxa:Homo sapiens(fossil and recent specimens),Homo erectus, andHomo neanderthalensis. We used 2D geometric morphometrics to analyze the shape of the endo- and ectocranial vaults, as well as the relationships between selected anatomical features such as the extension of lobes and bones. The shapes of the vaults were computed using both fixed landmarks and sliding semi-landmarks. The fixed landmarks used for the endocranium were chosen in order to represent cerebral anatomy, in that they are defined by the imprints left by brain structures on the inner bone surface of the skull, and not by bony structures such as the inferior side of cranial sutures. Among other results, we have shown or confirmed specific features in the shape of the endocranium inHomo sapiens, as well as a few differences in the patterns of interplay between lobes and bones. These data, and any further results obtained with larger samples, may provide new insights into the development of the endocranial anatomical pattern inHomo sapiensand of its variability.

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The affinities of Homo antecessor – a review of craniofacial features and their taxonomic validity

Anthropological Review ◽

10.2478/anre-2018-0020 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 81 (3) ◽

pp. 225-251

Author(s):

Francesc Ribot Trafí ◽

Mario García Bartual ◽

Qian Wang

Keyword(s):

Historical Development ◽

Homo Erectus ◽

Middle Pleistocene ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Homo Antecessor ◽

European Variant ◽

Craniofacial Features ◽

Phylogenetic Affinities

Abstract The phylogenetic affinities of Homo antecessor, a hominin dating from the early Middle Pleistocene of Europe, are still unclear. In this study we conducted a comprehensive review of the TD6 hypodigm within the context of the historical development of paleoanthropological issues concerning this species. H. antecessor, based on all available craniofacial features to date, displays a midfacial morphology very similar to specimens attributed to Classic Homo erectus, suggesting that H. antecessor is the geographical European variant of Classic H. erectus.

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Plio-pleistocene Hominids: Epistemological and Taxonomic Problems

Forum Philosophicum ◽

10.35765/forphil.2004.0901.11 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 169-202

Author(s):

Jolanta Koszteyn

Keyword(s):

Homo Sapiens ◽

Single Species ◽

Homo Erectus ◽

Australopithecus Afarensis ◽

Homo Heidelbergensis ◽

Genealogical Tree ◽

Homo Neanderthalensis ◽

Homo Habilis ◽

Homo Antecessor ◽

Historical Times

Within the historical times, which roughly corresponds with the Holocene epoch, the whole of mankind is believed to be a single species. Homo sapiens. But the human genealogical tree (phylogeny) is populated by a really astounding number of paleontological species and paleontological genera: Ardipithecus ramidus, Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis, Homo georgicus. Homo erectus, Homo ergaster, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapiens. (cf. Gyula 2002). In fact there are many more (Sahelanthropus tchadensis, Orrorin tugenensis, Kenyanthropus platyops, Australopithecus garhi, Australopithecus aethiopicus) but Foley (2002), quite reasonably, states that the evidence for their existence is, at present, insufficient. The existence of these multiple forms is beyond any doubt. The doubt, however arises concerning the human or „prehuman" status of them. Were they really true specific forms, half-way between the apes and Holocene man? Is it possible that they constitute a number of different ecotypes (or paleoraces) within the same natural species of Homo sapiens?

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