RT Journal Article
T1 Dentine morphology of Atapuerca‐Sima de los Huesos lower molars: Evolutionary implications through three‐dimensional geometric morphometric analysis
A1 Hanegraef, Hester
A1 Martinón-Torres, María
A1 Martínez de Pinillos, Marina
A1 Martín-Francés, Laura
A1 Vialet, Amélie
A1 Arsuaga Ferreras, Juan Luis
A1 Bermúdez de Castro, José María
AB ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the affinities of the Sima de los Huesos (SH) population in relation to Homo neanderthalensis, Arago, and early and contemporary Homo sapiens. By characterizing SH intra‐population variation, we test current models to explain the Neanderthal origins.Materials and MethodsThree‐dimensional reconstructions of dentine surfaces of lower first and second molars were produced by micro‐computed tomography. Landmarks and sliding semilandmarks were subjected to generalized Procrustes analysis and principal components analysis.ResultsSH is often similar in shape to Neanderthals, and both groups are generally discernible from Homo sapiens. For example, the crown height of SH and Neanderthals is lower than for modern humans. Differences in the presence of a mid‐trigonid crest are also observed, with contemporary Homo sapiens usually lacking this feature. Although SH and Neanderthals show strong affinities, they can be discriminated based on certain traits. SH individuals are characterized by a lower intra‐population variability, and show a derived dental reduction in lower second molars compared to Neanderthals. SH also differs in morphological features from specimens that are often classified as Homo heidelbergensis, such as a lower crown height and less pronounced mid‐trigonid crest in the Arago fossils.DiscussionOur results are compatible with the idea that multiple evolutionary lineages or populations coexisted in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene, with the SH paradigm phylogenetically closer to Homo neanderthalensis. Further research could support the possibility of SH as a separate taxon. Alternatively, SH could be a subspecies of Neanderthals, with the variability of this clade being remarkably higher than previously thought.
PB Wiley
SN ISSN: 0002-9483, Online ISSN: 1096-8644
YR 2018
FD 2018-02-08
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12035
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12035
LA eng
NO Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC)
NO Junta de Castilla y León
NO Fundacion Atapuerca
NO The Leakey Foundation
DS Docta Complutense
RD 9 abr 2025