RT Journal Article
T1 A geometric morphometric analysis of hominin upper first molar shape
A1 Gómez Robles, Aida
A1 Martinón Torres, María
A1 Bermúdez de Castro, José María
A1 Margvelashvili, A.
A1 Bastir, Markus
A1 Arsuaga Ferreras, Juan Luis
A1 Pérez Pérez, Alejandro
A1 Estebaranz, Ferran
A1 Martínez, Laura M.
AB Recent studies have revealed interesting differences in upper first molar morphology across the hominin fossil record, particularly significantbetween H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis. Usually these analyses have been performed by means of classic morphometric methods, includingthe measurement of relative cusp areas or the angles defined between cusps. Although these studies have provided valuable information for themorphological characterization of some hominin species, we believe that the analysis of this particular tooth could be more conclusive for taxonomicassignment. In this study, we have applied geometric morphometric methods to explore the morphological variability of the upper firstmolar (M1) across the human fossil record. Our emphasis focuses on the study of the phenetic relationships among the European middle Pleistocenepopulations (designated as H. heidelbergensis) with H. neanderthalensis and H. sapiens, but the inclusion of Australopithecus and earlyHomo specimens has helped us to assess the polarity of the observed traits. H. neanderthalensis presents a unique morphology characterized bya relatively distal displacement of the lingual cusps and protrusion in the external outline of a large and bulging hypocone. This morphology canbe found in a less pronounced degree in the European early and middle Pleistocene populations, and reaches its maximum expression with theH. neanderthalensis lineage. In contrast, modern humans retain the primitive morphology with a square occlusal polygon associated with a roundexternal outline.
PB Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam
SN 0047-2484
YR 2007
FD 2007
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51215
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51215
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025