Preface

Abstract

The Yearbook of Physical Anthropology is an annual supplement to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, and both are publications of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. The Yearbook provides broad but thorough coverage of developments within the discipline. Yearbook articles summarize the state of the art in a particular subfield of physical anthropology and/or present new paradigms for addressing important issues of general interest to the field. In part, Yearbook articles serve as literature reviews, but often go beyond this to provide new perspectives on a field, which may include the presentation of original data and analyses. Most articles are solicited by the Editor and Editorial Board, although unsolicited articles are also welcome. All submissions are subjected to external review. Suggestions for topics to include in future issues of the Yearbook are welcome, and may be made to the Editor or to any member of the Editorial Board. Manuscripts submitted to the Yearbook must be written in English and follow guidelines set out in the “Guide for Authors” that normally appears in the January issue of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Copies of the Guide may also be accessed at the following internet address: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jabout/28130/ForAuthors.html. Four copies of the manuscript and an electronic version should be sent to the Editor at the address below. Manuscripts may be submitted at any time of the year, but must be received by early spring for publication in that year's issue of the Yearbook. The right to reject or request revision of a manuscript is reserved by the Editor. Authors areresponsible for reading and prompt correction of proofs. Requests for information should be directed to the Editor. The six articles in this volume of the Yearbook cover a range of topics in physical anthropology. Two articles deal with primate behavior: Karen Strier surveys the maturation of primatology in the written version of her luncheon address at the 2002 Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, and Anthony Di Fiore describes how genetic information can enhance our understanding of primate social behavior. Morphology is the main focus of the assessment by Yousuke Kaifu et al. of the role of dental attrition in shaping “normal” occlusion, and of Susan Antón's review of Homo erectus. Linda Van Blerkom and Thomas McDade consider responses to disease in their respective articles on the importance of viruses in human evolution and human ecological immunity. The 2003 issue is my first as Editor of the Yearbook, and I am extremely grateful to the many individuals who helped me during all stages of the production of this volume. These include the members of the Editorial Board, listed inside the front cover, who provided numerous forms of assistance, the external reviewers whose comments helped considerably to improve the quality of the papers, and the authors whose hard work is evident from the articles in this volume.