Crown Traits Research Articles

Patterns between crown characteristics and radial increment in trees are similar during recovery and normal growth: a long-term example from old-growth forests

Crown traits and competition attributes have an important effect on tree radial increment. Relationships among these elements are modeled using the distributions of the crown characteristics in a given calendar year, but these patterns can differ over time. The suitability of the patterns during recovery and normal growth was investigated using silver fir, Abies alba Mill., in old-growth forests. Generalized additive models (GAMs) for silver fir in the older (OG, trees aged 136–300 years) and younger (YG, trees aged 45–135 years) generations were developed. To test the validity of these GAMs, field data sets representing silver fir recovery and normal growth were used. For silver fir in OG, crown transparency had the largest effect on tree growth, explaining more than 25% of the variance. For silver fir in YG, relative crown length had the largest effect on tree growth, explaining more than 15% of the variance. The absolute relative prediction errors, AREmin and AREmax, were less than 0.03 and 1.50 mm, respectively. The developed GAMs are suitable during recovery and normal growth, but the GAMs were fitted to a relatively small area, neglecting climatic gradients and different disturbance types. This type of investigation should be continued on a larger scale.

Quantitative genetic analyses of postcanine morphological crown variation

This article presents estimates of narrow-sense heritability and bivariate genetic correlation for 14 tooth crown morphological variants scored on permanent premolars, first molars, and second molars. The objective is to inform data collection and analytical practices in dental biodistance and to provide insights on the development of molar crowns as integrated structures. African American dental casts from the Menegaz-Bock collection were recorded for the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System. Estimates of narrow-sense heritability and genetic correlation were generated using SOLAR v.8.1.1, which included assessment of age, sex, and birth year as covariates. Both continuous scale and dichotomized estimates are provided. Heritability estimates were nonsignificant for the majority of variables; however, for variables yielding significant estimates, values were moderate to high in magnitude and comparable to previous studies. Comparing left and right-side heritability estimates suggests directional asymmetry in the expression of environmental variance, something not seen in anterior tooth traits. Genetic correlations were moderate among antimeres and metameres and low for different traits scored on the same tooth crown. Although several negative correlations were noted, few reached statistical significance. Results affirm some of the current data cleaning and analytical practices in dental biodistance, but others are called into question. These include the pooling of males and females and combining left and right-side data into a single dataset. In comparison to anterior tooth crown traits, postcanine heritabilities were more often non-significant; however, those traits with significant heritability also tended to produce higher estimates. Genetic correlations were unremarkable, in part, because they were underpowered. However, M1 results may provide insight into the complex relationship between genes, environment, and development in determining ultimate crown form.

Frequency and variability of five non metric dental crown traits in the permanent maxillary dentitions of a racially mixed population from Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Introduction:Evaluation of Tooth Crown non metric traits benefits to assess the biological distance between populations. It is well known that these traits are characterised by a high inter-population differentiation, low sexual dimorphism, and their recording is loaded by relatively small intra and inter observer error. The dental morphological traits are successfully used in the description and explanation of the microevolutionary and ethnogenetic processes. This paper presents the results of the permanent maxillary dentition tooth crown traits differentiation of human populations from Bengaluru.Materials and Methods:The comparative analysis was carried out on the basis of 4 groups for 5 Tooth Crown non metric traits in maxillary permanent dentition using Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System for morphological scoring system of each trait and each score was charted on Osteoware Dental Morphology software.Results:Study analysed 400 dental casts from 4 different ethnic groups. Traits Winging, shovelling, lingual tubercle showed highest expression in Iranians while Cusp of Carabelli's trait expression showed 87% of prevalence in the surveyed group but the Hypocone trait showed the highest expression in Muslims.Conclusion:Traits of the human dentition can be a valuable diagnostic tool for anthropological studies in classifying and characterizing different ethnic groups. According to the results obtained from this study, it can be said that the groups Hindus, Muslims and Christians (Indians) belong to Sundonts, while Iranians fall under sinodonts population group.

Long-Term Abandonment of Forest Management Has a Strong Impact on Tree Morphology and Wood Volume Allocation Pattern of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The three-dimensional (3D) morphology of individual trees is critical for light interception, growth, stability and interactions with the local environment. Forest management intensity is a key driver of tree morphology, but how the long-term abandonment of silvicultural measures impacts trunk and crown morphological traits is not fully understood. Here, we take advantage of a long management intensity gradient combined with a high-resolution terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) approach to explore how management history affects the 3D structure of mature beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees. The management gradient ranged from long-term (>50 years) and short-term (>20 years) unmanaged to extensively and intensively managed beech stands. We determined 28 morphological traits and quantified the vertical distribution of wood volume along the trunk. We evaluated the differences in tree morphological traits between study stands using Tukey’s HSD test. Our results show that 93% of the investigated morphological traits differed significantly between the study stands. Significant differences, however, emerged most strongly in the stand where forest management had ceased >50 years ago. Furthermore, we found that the vertical distribution of trunk wood volume was highly responsive between stands with different management intensity, leading to a 67% higher taper top height and 30% lower taper of beech trees growing in long-term unmanaged stands compared to those in short-term unmanaged or managed stands. These results have important implications for management intensity decisions. It is suggested that the economic value of individual beech trees from long-term unmanaged forests can be expected to be very high. This might also translate to beech forests that are extensively managed, but we found that a few decades of implementation of such a silvicultural system is not sufficient to cause significant differences when compared to intensively managed stands. Furthermore, TLS-based high-resolution analyses of trunk and crown traits play a crucial role in the ability to better understand or predict tree growth responses to the current drivers of global change.

Frequency and Variability of Five Non-Metric Dental Crown Traits in the Primary and Permanent Dentitions of a Racially Mixed Population from Cali, Colombia

The purpose of this study was to determinethe prevalence and variability of five non-metric dentalcrown traits (Carabelli cusp, protostylid, groove pattern,and cusps 6 and 7) in the deciduous (Um2 and Lm2)and permanent (UM1 and LM1) teeth in children inthe mixed-dentition, and to compare these frequencieswith the literature. A descriptive study was conductedto characterize the dental morphology of young subjectsin mixed dentition stages. The Arizona State UniversityDental Anthropology System (ASUDAS) and Grine,Sciulli, and Hanihara methods were used as referenceto compare the prevalence of dental traits in dentalcasts from 100 subjects from a Colombian racially mixedpopulation. The high prevalence of furrows and pits ofthe Carabelli cusp, minor expressions of the protostylid(foramen cecum), and the low frequencies of cusps 5 and6, plus the behavior of the expression of groove patterncollectively suggest that this group reflects influences byboth the Mongoloid and Caucasoid dental complexes.Correspondence of trait expression in both the primaryand permanent dentition was also demonstrated (P< 0.05). Some of the non-metric trait frequencies alsoexhibited sexual dimorphism.

Variation in Dental Crown Morphology in Malaysian Populations

Dental crown variation was studied inthe four main population groups living in Malaysiausing dental casts (upper and lower) obtained from 790individuals. The aims of the study were to characterizevariation in 13 dental crown traits, within groups as wellas between groups, and to assess affinities between thegroups based on frequencies of occurrence of dentalfeatures. Using chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exacttest, the majority of dental traits were found to bebilaterally symmetrical and to demonstrate low sexualdimorphism. Comparisons of trait frequencies betweengroups revealed similarities between Malays, Jahai(Negritos) and Chinese who conformed to MongoloidSinodont-Sundadont dental patterns, whereas theIndians conformed to an Indo-European pattern.Phenetic distance analysis, using the mean measureof divergence, showed that Indians were markedlyseparated from the other three groups, while Malayswere closer to Jahai than to Chinese. These findingsbased on dental traits are consistent with historicalexplanations of affinities between modern Malaysianpopulations.

The Phenetic Distances of Jordanian Arabs from Other Human Populations Suggest a Major Genetic Drift from the Caucasoid Race

The objectives were to determine the expression frequency and sexual dimorphism of 16 non-metric crown traits on the permanent dentitions of the living Jordanians, and to assess the biological affinity of this sample to 21 high-order groups based on these traits. 360 Jordanian school children (176 males, 184 females; mean ages 15.5, sd = 0.4 years) were studied in 2009. The traits were classified using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, counted with the individual count method, and dichotomized according to Scott and Turner criteria for the purpose of group comparisons. Z-value test was used to assess sexual dimorphism in these traits. Smith’s Mean Measure of Divergence was used to measure all pairwise distance values among the groups. Sexual dimorphism was found in only three traits (i.e., Carabelli’s tubercle/cusp, metaconule and hypoconulid absence). This study revealed that the dental pattern of living Jordanians is sufficiently distinct from the Caucasoid pattern and all other known dental patterns to warrant a unique dental pattern for this population. Moreover, the relatively large distance values between the living Jordanians and all other world groups considered including the Western Eurasian groups suggest a major genetic drift for this population from the Caucasoid race.

Testing a new component ratio method for predicting total tree aboveground and component biomass for widespread pine and hardwood species of eastern US

The US National Greenhouse Gas Inventory uses the component ratio method (CRM), a volume conversion approach that incorporates models for tree biomass components, for forest carbon assessments. However, the performance of the CRM relative to other methods, as well as influences on its accuracy and precision, must be evaluated. We constructed a data-driven CRM (n-CRM), used it to predict total tree and component biomass for six US tree species, and compared this approach to a reference allometric model. We also assessed the influence of size, crown dynamics, and stem growth on the performance of both methods. Results show that the n-CRM was more accurate for four species, resulting from the inclusion of more predictor variables. Both methods had high uncertainty, but the precision of n-CRM predictions was two to eight times higher for small diameter trees (<10 cm) across all species. Accuracy and precision of the crown component models (i.e. branches and foliage) was low, though better for pines than for hardwoods. Species-level analysis suggests that poor precision is influenced by crown traits and the size distribution of fitting datasets. Our results highlight needed improvements to the n-CRM, and motivate further development of data that facilitate predictive evaluation of biomass models.

Evaluation of occlusal groove morphology of primary mandibular second molar in an Indian population.

Background:The study of morphology of dentition can provide information on the phylogenetic relationship between species and diversities among population. There is a difference in opinions regarding influence of ethnicity on dental morphology. Using quantitative methods, few studies have shown the associations between these dental features and crown traits in humans. The present study is to find the correlation between the occlusal morphology and forensic anthropological research.Aim and Objective:The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of different types of primary mandibular second molars in South Indian which can be used in forensic anthropological research.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted among 276 children in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Screening for the number of cusps and groove patterns of primary mandibular second molars was done by direct intraoral examination.Statistical Analysis:It was done with the help of IBM. SPSS statistics software 23.0 version. To find the significance in categorical data, Chi-square test was used. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results:Primary mandibular second molars with 5 cusps were observed in 96.4% of population, 4 cusps in 1.8%, and 6 cusps in 1.8% which were noted in the study. Mandibular second molars with “+” groove pattern in 33% of population and “Y” groove pattern in 67% of population were recorded. 5Y pattern was the most frequently observed occlusal pattern in these population, which is a primitive type of occlusal groove pattern.Conclusion:The study of dental morphology and odontometry is important in the field of forensic and anthropological research. It helps to understand the phylogenetic relationships among species and also to study the diversities within a population. This study revealed a primitive type of occlusal morphology in the population studied.

Protocolo de observação de morfologia dentária: sistematização de observações em contexto profissional e de formação académica

Em bioarqueologia, a morfologia dentária centra-se em variáveis da coroa e da raiz que podem estar presentes ou ausentes e, quando presentes, frequentemente exibem variação na expressão, de ligeira a pronunciada (p. ex.: incisivos em pá, carácter de Carabelli). Estudos em gémeos e famílias demonstram que estes caracteres são predominantemente determinados por fatores genéticos. Numerosos estudos de populações demonstraram que os caracteres não-métricos dentários são ferramentas poderosas para ferir afinidade biológica entre amostras ao nível local, regional, continental e global. O objetivo deste trabalho é providenciar a profissionais (p. ex.: quem escreva relatórios de contexto arqueológico) ou estudantes (p. ex.: que preparem projetos de teses) uma lista de 27 caracteres essenciais que constituem o número mínimo de variáveis para caracterizar amostras esqueléticas ou vivas. Recomendações adicionais para além da ‘lista de caracteres não-métricos essenciais’ focam-se em (a) métodos de registo de desgaste oclusal, (b) o formato da base de dados de morfologia dentárias, (c) as bases do método de contagem individual e (d) a importância de avaliar o erro de observador (ou precisão no registo).

Correlation of ten non-metric dental traits between deciduous and permanent molars of three ethnic colombian groups.

Summary&#x0D; Objective: To determine correlations of ten non-metric dental crown traits NMDCT (Carabelli, hipocon2, enamel bridge, metaconule, protostylid, deflecting wrinkle, pattern cusp, cusp number and 6 and 7 cusp) between deciduous second upper (um2) and low (lm2) molars, permanent first upper (UM1) and lower (LM1) molars and permanent second upper (UM2) and lower (LM2) molars were studied. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study determines the correlation of ten NMDCT through of the frequency and variability, observed on 201 dental casts of Cali racially mixed population, 84 dental casts of Puerto Tejada African-Colombian population and 60 dental casts of Colombian Amazons natives. Results: The Colombian Amazon natives showed high correlation in Carabelli and cusp number between um2/UM1; and very high in metaconule and pattern cusp. Cali racially mixed population showed moderated correlation in Carabelli, deflecting wrinkle and pattern cusp between um2/UM1; and high in 6 cusp. And between UM1/UM2/LM1/LM2 moderate in deflecting wrinkle; and high in protostylid, pattern cusp and 6 cusp. Puerto Tejada African-Colombian population showed moderated correlation between UM1/UM2/LM1/LM2 in deflecting wrinkle; and high in protostylid, pattern cusp and 6 cusp. Conclusions: Findings support the proposal of morphogenetic field theory, which exposes that the key tooth in deciduous and permanent molars is um2/lm2 because it retains the basic configuration of contact and number of cusps pattern, so UM1/UM2/LM1/LM2 will vary according to ethnic origin and to the environmental influence of each ofn three studied ethnic groups. Key words: Dental anthropology. Dental morphology. Non-metric dental traits. Deciduous dentition. Permanent dentition. Correlations.

Mixed dentition Morphology characteristics: a correlation between 3 non-metric dental traits in temporal and permanent dentition in scholars from Cali - Colombia

Summary: Objectives: Determine the correlation of the frequency and variability of three Non-metricdental crown traits (Carabelli cusp, protostylid and molar pattern cusp) between deciduous (um2/lm2)and permanent (UM1/LM1) teeth in mixed-dentition subjects. Materials and methods: A descriptivestudy was conducted to determine the dental morphology in mixed dentition stage of young subjects.The Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System ASUDAS and Grind and Sciulli Methods wereused as reference to compare frequency of dental traits in dental casts of 100 young individualsracially mixed. Results: A high expression of furrows and pits of the Carabelli cusp, a highfrequency of protostylid in degree 1 (foramen secum) and a expression of molar pattern cusp,revealed that the studied population received influences of the Mongoloid and Caucasoid dentalcomplexes. Correspondence on the traits expression among temporal and permanent dentition was alsoconfirmed. Bilateral symmetry and sexual dimorphism in the analyzed non-metric dental crown traitswere found. Key words: Dental anthropology. Dental morphology. Non-metric dental crown traits. Mixeddentition.&#x0D;

Paramolar tubercle on second upper left premolar - a case report

Summary: This paper is a casereport description of the paramolar tubercle presence on the buccal surface of left upper secondpremolar (25 tooth). The description was done under the dental anthropology point of view and thistooth mark may be useful to classify and identify human populations. Key words: Dental anthropology.Dental morphology. Non-metric dental crown traits. Paramolar tubercle.&#x0D;

Are inter- and intraspecific variations of sapling crown traits consistent with a strategy promoting light capture in tropical moist forest?

Background and Aims Morphological variation in light-foraging strategies potentially plays important roles in efficient light utilization and carbon assimilation in spatially and temporally heterogeneous environments such as tropical moist forest understorey. By considering a suite of morphological traits at various hierarchical scales, we examined the functional significance of crown shape diversity and plasticity in response to canopy openness. Methods We conducted a field comparative study in French Guiana among tree saplings of 14 co-occurring species differing in light-niche optimum and breadth. Each leaf, axis or crown functional trait was characterized by a median value and a degree of plasticity expressed under contrasting light regimes. Key Results We found divergent patterns between shade-tolerant and heliophilic species on the one hand and between shade and sun plants on the other. Across species, multiple regression analysis showed that relative crown depth was positively correlated with leaf lifespan and not correlated with crown vertical growth rate. Within species displaying a reduction in crown depth in the shade, we observed that crown depth was limited by reduced crown vertical growth rate and not by accelerated leaf or branch shedding. In addition, the study provides contrasting examples of morphological multilevel plastic responses, which allow the maintenance of efficient foliage and enable effective whole-plant light capture in shaded conditions under a moderate vertical light gradient. Conclusions This result suggests that plastic adjustment of relative crown depth does not reflect a strategy maximizing light capture efficiency. Integrating and scaling-up leaf-level dynamics to shoot- and crown-level helps to interpret in functional and adaptive terms inter- and intraspecific patterns of crown traits and to better understand the mechanism of shade tolerance.

Editorial: Branching and Rooting Out with a CT Scanner: The Why, the How, and the Outcomes, Present and Possibly Future.

Editorial: Branching and Rooting Out with a CT Scanner: The Why, the How, and the Outcomes, Present and Possibly Future.

Crown traits of coniferous trees and their relation to shade tolerance can differ with leaf type: a biophysical demonstration using computed tomography scanning data.

Plant light interception and shade tolerance are intrinsically related in that they involve structural, morphological and physiological adaptations to manage light capture for photosynthetic utilization, in order to sustain survival, development and reproduction. At the scale of small-size trees, crown traits related to structural geometry of branching pattern and space occupancy through phyllotaxis can be accurately evaluated in 3D, using computed tomography (CT) scanning data. We demonstrate this by scrutinizing the crowns of 15 potted miniature conifers of different species or varieties, classified in two groups based on leaf type (10 needlelike, 5 scalelike); we also test whether mean values of crown traits measured from CT scanning data and correlations with a shade tolerance index (STI) differ between groups. Seven crown traits, including fractal dimensions (FD1: smaller scales, FD2: larger scales) and leaf areas, were evaluated for all 15 miniature conifers; an average silhouette-to-total-area ratio was also calculated for each of the 10 needlelike-leaf conifers. Between-group differences in mean values are significant (P < 0.05) for STI, FD1, FD2, and the average leaf area displayed (ĀD). Between-group differences in sign and strength of correlations are observed. For example, the correlation between STI and FD1 is negative and significant (P < 0.10) for the needlelike-leaf group, but is positive and significant (P < 0.05) for the miniature conifers with scalelike leaves, which had lower STI and higher FD1 on average in our study; the positive correlation between STI and ĀD is significant (P < 0.05) for the scalelike-leaf group, and very moderate for the needlelike-leaf one. A contrasting physical attachment of the leaves to branches may explain part of the between-group differences. Our findings open new avenues for the understanding of fundamental plant growth processes; the information gained could be included in a multi-scale approach to tree crown modeling.

Explaining biomass growth of tropical canopy trees: the importance of sapwood

Tropical forests are important in worldwide carbon (C) storage and sequestration. C sequestration of these forests may especially be determined by the growth of canopy trees. However, the factors driving variation in growth among such large individuals remain largely unclear. We evaluate how crown traits [total leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen (N) concentration] and stem traits [sapwood area (SA) and sapwood N concentration] measured for individual trees affect absolute biomass growth for 43 tropical canopy trees belonging to four species, in a moist forest in Bolivia. Biomass growth varied strongly among trees, between 17.3 and 367.3 kg year−1, with an average of 105.4 kg year−1. We found that variation in biomass growth was chiefly explained by a positive effect of SA, and not by tree size or other traits examined. SA itself was positively associated with sapwood growth, sapwood lifespan and basal area. We speculate that SA positively affects the growth of individual trees mainly by increasing water storage, thus securing water supply to the crown. These positive roles of sapwood on growth apparently offset the increased respiration costs incurred by more sapwood. This is one of the first individual-based studies to show that variation in sapwood traits—and not crown traits—explains variation in growth among tropical canopy trees. Accurate predictions of C dynamics in tropical forests require similar studies on biomass growth of individual trees as well as studies evaluating the dual effect of sapwood (water provision vs. respiratory costs) on tropical tree growth.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-015-3220-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Occlusal morphology of permanent mandibular first and second molars in Gujarati population.

Background:Dental identification has been used since long time for disaster victim identification protocol. There is a difference of opinion regarding whether ethnicity influences dental morphology or not. Few studies have shown the associations between these dental features and crown traits in humans using quantitative methods. The present study is an attempt to find correlation of occlusal morphology of Gujarati population with forensic Odontology.Aim:To study different occlusal morphology of permanent mandibular first and second molars in Gujarati Population.Materials and Methods:This study comprised of a total of 100 participants of Gujarati origin, selected by random sampling method. Total number of cusps and groove patterns of mandibular first and second molar were examined clinically and photographs of the same were taken. A descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Student t-test were used for analysis of data.Results:Mandibular first molar with 5 cusps in 71%, 4 cusps in 18% and 6 cusps in 11% were noted in the study. Mandibular first molars with “+” groove pattern in 39.5% and “Y” groove pattern in 60.5% were recorded. Mandibular second molar with 5 cusps in 6.5% and 4 cusps in 93.5% were recorded in the study. Mandibular second molars with “+” groove pattern in 93.5% and “Y” groove pattern in 6.5% were recorded.Conclusion:The most common occlusal morphology in permanent mandibular first molar is “5 cusp” and “Y” groove pattern in about 47% and for second molar is “4 cusp” and “+” groove pattern in 88.5% of Gujarati population. It may be concluded that variation in degree of expression and frequency of teeth in dentitions of different populations is different, which may help in forensic identification.

Frequency and variability of dental morphology in deciduous and permanent dentition of a Nasa indigenous group in the municipality of Morales, Cauca, Colombia

Objectives: To determine the frequency, variability, sexual dimorphism and bilateral symmetry of fourteen dental crown traits in the deciduous and permanent dentition of 60 dental models (35 women and 25 men) obtained from a native, indigenous group of Nasa school children of the Musse Ukue group in the municipality of Morales, Department of Cauca, Colombia. Methods: This is a quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional study that characterizes dental morphology by means of the systems for temporary dentition from Dahlberg (winging), and ASUDAS (crowding, reduction of hypocone, metaconule and cusp 6), Hanihara (central and lateral incisors in shovel-shape and cusp 7), Sciulli (double bit, layered fold protostylid, cusp pattern and cusp number) and Grine (Carabelli trait); and in permanent dentition from ASUDAS (Winging, crowding, central and lateral incisors in shovel-shape and double shovel-shape, Carabelli trait, hypocone reduction, metaconule, cusp pattern, cusp number, layered fold protostylid, cusp 6 and cusp 7). Results: The most frequent dental crown features were the shovel-shaped form, grooved and fossa forms of the Carabelli trait, metaconule, cusp pattern Y6, layered fold, protostylid (point P) and cusp 6. Sexual dimorphism was not observed and there was bilateral symmetry in the expression of these features. Conclusions: The sample studied presented a great affinity with ethnic groups belonging to the Mongoloid Dental Complex due to the frequency (expression) and variability (gradation) of the tooth crown traits, upper incisors, the Carabelli trait, the protostylid, cusp 6 and cusp 7. The influence of the Caucasoide Dental Complex associated with ethno-historical processes cannot be ruled out.

The phenetic distances of the living Druze from other human populations suggest a major genetic drift from the Western Eurasian ancestral category

The objectives were to determine the expression frequency and sexual dimorphism of 16 non-metric crown traits on the sample of permanent dentitions of the living Druze population (a Near Eastern genetic isolate) in Jordan, and to assess the biological affinity of this sample to 21 regional groups, and to the living general Jordanian population, based on these traits. Druze schoolchildren (46 males, 40 females; mean age=16.0, sd=0.5 years) were studied in 2011. The traits were classified using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, counted with the individual count method, and dichotomized according to the criteria of Scott and Turner for the purpose of group comparisons. Fisher's exact test for dichotomized scores was used to assess sexual dimorphism in these traits. Smith's mean measure of divergence was used to measure all pairwise distance values among the groups. Sexual dimorphism was found in five traits (i.e., UI2 interruption grooves, 3-cusped UM2, UM1 Carabelli's tubercle/cusp, 4-cusp LM1, and LM2 Y-groove pattern). This study revealed that the dental pattern of living Druze, which is similar to that of the general Jordanian population, is sufficiently distinct from the Western Eurasian pattern and all other known dental patterns to form a distinct dental pattern for the regional group or subcategory to which these two populations belong. Moreover, the relatively large distance values of the living Druze and Jordanians from the other world groups considered, including the Western Eurasian groups, suggest a similar major genetic difference of these two populations from the Western Eurasian ancestry.