Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus

Authors

Paul J. Constantino, Biological SciencesFollow
Craig Byron
Paul C. Dechow
Ian R. Gross
Peter W. Lucas
Brian G. Richmond
Callum R. Ross
Dennis E. Slice
Mark A. Spencer
Dennis S. Strait
Qian Wang
Gerhard W. Weber
Bernard A. Wood
Barth W. Wright

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.

Comments

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http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-human-evolution/

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.10.006

Recommended Citation

Strait DS, Weber GW, Constantino PJ, Lucas PW, Chalk J, Richmond BG, Spencer MA, Schrein C, Dechow PC, Ross CF, Grosse IR, Wright BW, Wood BA, Hylander WL, Wang Q, Byron C, Slice DE, Smith AL, Smith LC, Tamvada K. Microwear, mechanics, and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. Journal of Human Evolution 62: 165-168.