Sagittal cresting in the South African australopithecines

Abstract

AbstractThe evidence for sagittal cresting, and more generally the position of the temporal lines is reviewed in the South African australopithecine sample. The position of the lines is dependent on both the allometric relation of the masticatory apparatus to cranial size and on individual variation. In the Swartkrans specimens, with generally bigger body size, the influence of allometry predominates, actually overshadowing the influence of individual variation. At Sterkfontein and Makapansgat with generally smaller body size and a resulting smaller allometric ratio, individual variation has a greater influence. Of the eleven adult South African specimens, the four largest are crested. The one smaller crested specimen comes from Sterkfontein. The crested Makapan specimen is intermediate in size. The pattern of australopithecine cresting is somewhat different from other hominoids, and is part of a total morphological pattern suggesting adaptation to a diet requiring powerful crushing during mastication.