Dietary Reconstruction of Pliocene Parapapio whitei from Makapansgat, South Africa, Using Dental Microwear Texture Analysis

Abstract

Pliocene Parapapio whitei fossils from Makapansgat have yielded stable isotope values suggesting some foraging on C₄ plants and possibly underground storage organs (USOs). Dental microwear texture analysis on Pp.whitei (M 3147, MP 62, MP 223 and MP 239) from Makapansgat Members 3-4 is performed to examine whether tooth surface damage from mastication agrees with prior dietary inferences from isotopes. The enamel surface texture of Pp. whitei is relatively complex, resembling Lophocebus albigena and Cebusapella, and lacks the anisotropy of Trachypithecuscristatus and Alouattapalliata. The textural fill volume of Pp. whitei is distinct from extant forest primates suggesting extremes in hard-object consumption. Grit adhering to USOs is offered as an explanation for these enamel textural properties, corroborating the inference that Pp. whitei supplemented its diet with terrestrial resources.