Dental Remains Research Articles

NEW DATA ON THE EARLY JURASSIC BIODIVERSITY OF THE LOMBARDY BASIN (SOUTHERN ALPS, ITALY) AND THE EARLIEST RECORD SPHENODUS (CHONDRICHTHYES, NEOSELACHII)

At the beginning of the Jurassic, the initial stages of the rifting that preceded the opening of the Alpine Tethys led to the establishment of the Lombardy basin, characterized by a shallow water marine palaeoenvironment inhabited by highly diversified ecological communities. Macrofossil records from the whole Lower Jurassic succession of Lombardy are currently mostly confined to invertebrates. The earliest occurrence of marine vertebrates is from the Sinemurian Moltrasio Limestone of Osteno (Varese), subsequent to the Triassic/Jurassic boundary (TJB) post-crisis recovery. Here, we describe material from the Roncola section (Roncola San Bernardo, Bergamo) of the Sedrina Limestone (upper Hettangian), consisting of a dense accumulation of crinoid skeletal remains belonging to Balanocrinus ticinensis Hess, 2006. Among them are three isolated neoselachian teeth assigned to the genus Sphenodus Agassiz, 1843. This new discovery is significant and extends our knowledge of the biodiversity of the Lombardy basin Jurassic, mainly because these dental remains represent the earliest vertebrate macrofossils ever documented from this area after the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. Sphenodus (which ranges from the Sinemurian to the Danian) is a fairly ubiquitous Sinemurian neoselachian shark but this new record moves its First Appearance Datum (FAD) back to the Hettangian stage.

Dental health indicators of the Chernyakhov population from Shyshaki (Ukraine)

Odontological studies of ancient populations represent different indicators related to health state, lifestyle and human diet. The aim of this paper is to determine the dental health indicators in the Chernyakhov population (the end of the IVth c. AD) from Ukraine. The paper also attempts to identify the relationship between sex and these indicators in the studied population. The sample analysed consisted of the dental remains of 25 adult individuals (11 males and 14 females) and 8 children individuals excavated from the cemetery at the archaeological site of Shyshaki (Poltava region of Ukraine). A total of 760 teeth were examined for caries, tooth wear and calculus clinically, and 647 teeth of adults were observed radiographically. The studied population presents frequency of caries in individuals of 12.5%. This indicator in adult male and female dentition is 42.86% and 14.0% respectively, and 25% in children. The presented population frequency of caries teeth was 0.88%. Females presented higher caries rate than males (2.72 % females vs. 0.36 % males) (p<0.05). The most frequent were caries lesions of cementum-enamel junction (40%) and combined lesions of crown and root (40%) with no difference in terms of sex. Frequency of dental wear in adult individuals and 8-10 year-old individuals was 100%. The studied population represented TWI (tooth wear index) in adults (2.26), which increased with aging, but the difference in terms of sex is insignificant. Calculus was observed in 64.28% of the females and 63.33% of the males, showing no statistical difference (p>0.5). These findings confirm a very low rate of caries teeth in the territory of Shyshaki during the Late Roman period, which could be related to regional diet and concentration of fluorine in drinking water. The Chernyakhov population presents high dental wear and similar frequency of dental calculus when compared to the population from Roman Britain. Females presented significantly higher frequency of caries than males, whereas no significant sex differences were found regarding dental wear, calculus, and localisation of caries lesions. The authors presume that dental health indicators in the Chernyakhov culture need to be studied more with bigger sample size and data of the populations from other regions of Ukraine.

Fossil Asiatic Brush-Tailed Porcupine Atherurus macrourus (Hystricidae, Rodentia) from Northern Vietnam (Bud Cave, Pleistocene-Holocene Transition).

The lower jaw and dental remains of the brush-tailed porcupine are described from the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary deposits of the Bud cave in northern Vietnam. In terms of the average length of the cheek teeth, this porcupine is somewhat larger than the modern Atherurus macrourus (Linnaeus, 1758), but slightly smaller than the Pleistocene A. karnuliensis Lydekker, 1886; relatively small incisors make it possible to assign the form from the Bud сave to A. macrourus. The finding is the first fossil record of this species in Vietnam.

The missing Myopus: plugging the gaps in Late Pleistocene small mammal identification in western Europe with geometric morphometrics

AbstractLemmus and Myopus are two lemming species with distinct habitat requirements but which show very similar dental morphologies. They are thus extremely difficult to distinguish from one another in the fossil record on the basis of their dental remains, leading to poor understanding of the palaeobiogeographical evolution of Myopus as well as inaccurate palaeoenvrionmental reconstructions. Currently, the presence of Myopus in the fossil register from the Pleistocene is still debated and no firm occurrence of this lemming in western Europe has yet been confirmed for the Late Pleistocene. In this paper, we used geometric morphometrics on modern material to establish morphological differences between Lemmus and Myopus teeth (first lower and third upper molars). Morphological data were then used to build a robust linear discriminant model able to confidently classify isolated teeth of these two genera, and finally, linear discriminant models were used on fossil remains of Lemmus/Myopus from two Late Pleistocene archaeological/palaeontological sites (Grotte des Gorges and Gully Cave). This study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of Myopus schisticolor in west European Late Pleistocene sites between the end of Marine Isotope Stage 3 and the beginning of the Holocene, during climatic events that favoured the development of taiga forest of birch and pine in these regions.

New material of Bramatherium grande from the Siwaliks of Pakistan sheds light on dental intra-clade morphological variability of Late Miocene sivatheres

ABSTRACT Here, we report new dental remains of a large giraffid from the Late Miocene of Pakistan. The new material improves our knowledge of the dental morphology of this extinct sivatherine giraffid, as it sheds light on intra-clade morphological variability within Late Miocene sivatherine giraffids. Fossils were recovered from sediments within the Nagri and Dhok Pathan formations (Middle Siwaliks, Late Miocene) from the sites Nagri, Dhok Pathan, Kauliar and Padhri in Pakistan. Presence of these fossils in Late Miocene sediments in Pakistan demonstrates the stratigraphic range of Bramatherium grande, which was present in the Indo-Pakistani region and the Greco-Iranian region from 11.2 to ca. 3.4 Ma and 11.2 to 9.0 Ma, respectively. The new fossils provide additional data that help resolve the phylogenetic relationships of these large Late Miocene sivatheres. The new findings highlight the presence of Bramatherium grande in the Indo-Pakistani region during the Late Miocene and provide evidence for the synonymy of Bramatherium grande and Bramatherium magnum, with Bramatherium grande having priority.

Recent trends in forensic odontology: An overview

Every human being has unique identity in life. Forensic odontology is an emerging branch of science which has a greatest scope of development. The most challenging feature of forensic dentistry includes the identification of dental remains, recovery, and analysis of evidence which match with the suspects. An objective comparison using recent technology would strengthen the validity of evidence in forensic dentistry. It has been established as an irreplaceable science in medicolegal matters and in the recognition of the deceased individuals. The forensic odontologist makes use of the knowledge of dentistry in bite mark analysis, fixation of identity in mass disaster, age determination, domestic violence, and child abuse cases. Therefore, the duty and responsibility of forensic odontologist have enhanced in recent times in various medicolegal cases. This article provides an overview of the trends that are evolving in recent times which are used in the field of forensic odontology.

Dental Pulp in Forensic Dentistry

Forensic Odontology, the branch of dentistry that is centered on dental or oro-facial findings has become an essential component of forensic science over the years. The identification of dental remains is of prime significance when the deceased individual is skeletonized, decomposed, burned, or eviscerated. Pulp plays an important role in forensic odontology as pulpal tissue can be used to determine age, sex and blood group antigen by molecular analysis. The present article discusses the uniqueness of pulp and how it can be used as an aid for determination of certain traits when no other remains are available.

Giant Hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Hyaenidae, Carnivora) from the Lower Pleistocene of Taurida Cave, Crimea.

The dental remains of a giant hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Gervais, 1850) from the Early Pleistocene locality of the Taurida cave (Crimea, Late Villafranchian, 1.8-1.5 Ma) are described. This species was a typical representative of the Villafranchian fauna of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Taurida cave was occasionally used by hyenas and other carnivorans as a den and retreat.

Morphogenic correlation between facial form and intercanine width - an aid in forensic dentistry

Background: Forensic odontology is a branch of forensic dentistry that utilizes dental remains for personal identification. When facial recognition is not possible, the facial form of the person can be reconstructed with the help of teeth present and dental structures available. The teeth in the maxillary intercanine region play a vital role for the same. The intercanine width varies considerably between different populations and races and its relation with other facial parameters can be used in personal identification and even facial reconstruction. Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the correlation between the tooth form and face form by correlating the intercanine width with other facial parameters such as interpupillary distance, interalar distance, interzygomatic distance, and intercanthus distance in the Ethnic Tamil population. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 100 patients aged between 20 and 40 years. Five parameters, namely the intercanine width, interpupillary width, interalar distance, interzygomatic distance, and intercanthus distance was measured using a digital Vernier caliper. The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis software. Unpaired t-test was used to compare the mean values of the parameters among males and females. Pearson's correlation was run to assess the relationship between the parameters and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among 100 participants, 50 were male and 50 were female. The mean intercanine width of males (35.1 mm ± 3.8) and females (33.1 mm ± 3.1), mean interzygomatic distance of males (110.8 mm ± 12.3) and females (106.7 mm ± 8.1), and mean interalar distance of males (26.2 mm ± 5.8) and females (28.3 mm ± 4.5) were found to be statistically significant. There was a significant, moderate correlation (r = −0.3; P < 0.05) between the intercanine and intercanthus width in males but not in females. Conclusion: In the present study, a weak correlation existed between intercanine distance and other facial parameters. Several parameters determine the facial form and a combination of these parameters have to be considered thereby reconstruction of the face is possible for future prospectus in forensic dentistry.

First discovery of Stegodon (Proboscidea) in Malaysia

A cheek tooth of Stegodon, an extinct genus of Proboscidea, had been discovered in a cave in Gopeng, Perak. The discovery represents the first fossil of Stegodon ever found in Malaysia. Embedded in lithified cave infillings are the associated dental remains from at least three or four other different taxa of fossil mammals commonly found among Southeast Asian Pleistocene-Holocene faunas. The finding provides a unique chance for investigations into the evolution dynamics of Stegodon in this part of Southeast Asia and the species diversity of Proboscidea in prehistoric Peninsular Malaysia. Fossil mammal assemblages from different phases of Pleistocene-Holocene period collected from karstic caves in Peninsular Malaysia, when considered with similar assemblages from other parts of Southeast Asia, have the potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric faunal migrations and species compositional changes among the biogeographic (sub)divisions in Southeast Asia. This may ultimately lead to a better knowledge of the possible paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic fluctuations that influenced patterns of migration and adaptive responses of mammalian faunas in Quaternary Southeast Asia.

Cyprinid fishes from Eocene molasse deposits (Liyan Formation), India-Asia collision zone, Eastern Ladakh, NW Himalaya, India: implications for non-marine aquatic connections between India and Mainland Asia

ABSTRACT The molasse deposits in the Indus Basin of India-Asia collision zone (Indus Suture Zone) of Ladakh, NW Himalaya, preserve a record of orogenic sedimentation associated with uplift and erosion of the southern margin of Asia in the course of ongoing India–Eurasia collision. Fossils from these continental deposits are scarce but hold important clues to the early history of India-Asia collision. Here we describe a small collection of dental remains of cyprinids, a family of freshwater fishes, from the Late Eocene Liyan Formation exposed in a high altitude (>5000 m) locality in the Indus Suture Zone of Eastern Ladakh. The find assumes significance since, unlike the Liyan Formation, most other molassic deposits of Ladakh rest unconformably over the Ladakh Batholith and are much younger (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene). The Liyan cyprinids, which represent the oldest record of Cyprinidae in India, suggest fluvial connections with contemporary Eocene ecosystems in Mainland Asia where this family originated in the middle Eocene or earlier. Dispersal of cyprinids from the Mainland Asia into the Indus Suture Zone of Ladakh took place from Tibet via alluvial drainage of the paleo-Indus river during floods or high runoff following the India-Asia collision.

Greater Hog Badger Arctonyx collaris (Mustelidae, Carnivora) from the Pleistocene of Vietnam (Lang Trang Cave).

The dental remains of a large badger collected in 2020 from the Pleistocene deposits of the Lang Trang karstic cave in northern Vietnam are described. The molars М1 and М1 exhibit the features that are characteristic of Arctonyx collaris Cuvier, 1825. At the same time, the length of M1 of the Lang Trang form exceeds that of modern greater hog badgers. Based on the size and structure of the teeth, it can be assigned to the subspecies A. c. rostratus Matthew et Granger, 1923 known from the Pleistocene of China and Southeast Asia.

The Systematic Position of a Large Porcupine (Hystrix, Hystricidae, Rodentia) from the Pleistocene of Vietnam (Lang Trang Cave).

The dental remains of the porcupine from the Pleistocene deposits of the Lang Trang cave in northern Vietnam are described. Previously, this porcupine was identified as Hystrix brachyura Linnaeus, 1758 or H. indica Kerr, 1792. Based on the analysis of morphometric data, the systematic position of the form from Lang Trang and other large Pleistocene porcupines of Vietnam is determined as Hystrix kiangsenensis Wang, 1931.

Evolving Trends in Forensic Odontology

Forensic odontologists have been playing an indispensable role in the sphere of forensics for over a hundredyears. The various method used by them in identifying individuals from the human remains have beenevolving over the years. Using dental remains is not just feasible but budget-friendly and time-saving aswell. This article reviews the current trends in the branch of forensic dentistry while also highlighting theimportance of antemortem records in comparison with post-mortem evidences.

Palaeodiet of Miocene Producers and Depositional Environments: Inferences from the First Evidence of Microcoprolites from India

AbstractThis paper reviews research on coprolites from India, providing the first evidence of microcoprolites from the early Miocene (Aquitanian) Khari Nadi Formation sedimentary succession, exposed about 1.5 km northeast of the village of Kotada, Kachchh (Kutch) District, Gujarat State, western India. Morphometric and size comparisons (in a statistical framework) with known coprolites from the Mesozoic‐Cenozoic successions of India (including those recorded herein) and globally suggest that fishes were the likely producers of the Kotada coprolites. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the presence of fish dental remains within the coprolites, while both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDS) reveal the phosphatic nature of the microscopic coprolite specimens (recorded herein) hinting that the producer(s) were predominantly carnivorous (ichthyophagous) in their diet. Furthermore, X‐Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of the host and associated lithologies allows us to deduce that the Kotada coprolites were deposited in a shallow marine environment, with possible aerial exposure of the host lithology occurring at some point after deposition. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first record of microscopic fish coprolites from India, as well as being the first from the Aquitanian of India and the oldest Neogene record from India.

Upper Pleistocene equids from Terrasses de la Riera dels Canyars (NE Iberian Peninsula): The presence of Equus ferus and Equus hydruntinus based on dental criteria and their implications for palaeontological identification and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

The evolution and co-occurrence of equids in Europe during the Upper Pleistocene (125–10 ka) is a research line that has generated much debate owing to the difficulties in distinguishing between species. Here, we present a study of the dental remains of equids, dated by radiocarbon at ~34.6 (~39.6 cal) ka BP, from Terrasses de la Riera dels Canyars (Barcelona, NE Iberian Peninsula), a site where numerous remains of Equus hydruntinus and Equus ferus have been identified. Our observations indicate that combining measurements and morphological features, as opposed to their separate application, is useful for identifying Pleistocene equids at the species level. We identify seven morphological features to distinguish between the two species: four on the upper teeth – i) the shape of the protocone; ii) the presence/absence of a pli caballine; iii) the presence/absence of grooves in the styles; and, iv) the shape of the hypocone – and three on the lower dentition – v) the shape of the entoflexid; vi) the depth of the ectoflexid; and, vii) the presence/absence of the pticostylid fold. The identification of E. hydruntinus by dentition at the site reinforces evidence for the presence of these small equids during the Heinrich Stadial 4 in the Iberian Peninsula. The multi-proxy data (including phytoliths, charcoal, pollen, tooth wear, small and large mammals) obtained at Canyars suggest that E. hydruntinus of the NE Iberian Peninsula inhabited steppe-dominated landscapes with a Mediterranean component, indicating a less rigorous climate than that of more northern latitudes.

Taphonomic evidence supports an aquatic lifestyle for Spinosaurus

A new locality near Tarda on the northern margin of the Tafilalt, south eastern Morocco exposes extensive sequences of the Ifezouane and Aoufous formations of the fluvial Kem Kem Group (Cretaceous, ?Albian-Cenomanian) on the south western flank of Ikfh n’Oufza escarpment of the Hamada du Meski. The stratigraphic sequence here differs significantly from better known exposures of the Kem Kem Group in the southern Tafilalt, and includes a heterolithic sequence of alternating grey mudstones and fine sandstones and a thin (~1.5 m) marine limestone. The locality is noteworthy for three vertebrate-bearing horizons within the upper part of the Ifezouane Formation. The upper two (Sites 1 and 2 in ascending order) are dominated by dental remains of the sawfish Onchopristis and the semi-aquatic theropod dinosaur Spinosaurus. Significantly, the remains of terrestrial dinosaurs constitute less than 1% of the total dental assemblage at Site 1 and 5.6% at Site 2. At Site 2 teeth of Spinosaurus outnumber the rostral “teeth” of Onchopristis. The remarkably high abundance of spinosaur teeth compared to remains of terrestrial dinosaurs, and even some aquatic animals strongly supports Spinosaurus being a largely aquatic animal spending much of its life in water where its teeth were shed and preserved.

Dental caries and isotope studies in the population of Radom (Poland) between the 11th and 19th centuries

AbstractThis study aims to assess changes in the diet of individuals from Radom (Poland) by applying odontological and physicochemical methods. We evaluated the intensity of dental caries and quality of diet through isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N). Three consecutive time periods were selected: the early Medieval (EMP, 11th to 12th c.), late Medieval/early Modern (LMP, 14th to 17th c.) and Modern (MP, 18th to19th c.) periods. The dental remains of 247 adult individuals comprising a total of 3,850 permanent teeth were analysed. The intensity of dental caries increased in subsequent historical periods (EMP 38%, LMP 47% and MP 47%). The lowest proportion of terrestrial C3 diet was noted in the oldest EMP population. The LMP and MP were similar in terms of the type of diet. The proportion of the terrestrial C3 component of the diet was 82% and 79% for LMP and MP, respectively. It can be supposed that the EMP population had such a varied diet that cariogenic products (e.g., cereals) were not the basic source of food, thus slowing down the development of dental caries. Later, there was a clear increase in the cariogenic factor(s) between the EMP and LMP, and this may have been related to the intensification of agricultural production.

New record of Neosaimiri (Cebidae, Platyrrhini) from the late Middle Miocene of Peruvian Amazonia

The Honda Group of La Venta, Colombia, has yielded a wide array of crown platyrrhine primates, documenting the late Middle Miocene epoch (ca. 13.1–12.6 Ma, Laventan South American Land Mammal Age). Although exceptional, this record represents only a snapshot of the evolutionary history of New World monkeys because virtually none of the primate taxa recorded at La Venta had so far been found elsewhere. We describe here few dental remains of a cebine platyrrhine discovered from Laventan deposits in the San Martín Department of Peru (Peruvian Amazonia). The primate dental specimens from that new fossil-bearing locality (TAR-31) are strongly reminiscent morphologically of the teeth of Neosaimiri fieldsi from La Venta. However, given that several aspects of the dental variability from TAR-31 are unknown, we prefer to provide an assignment with open nomenclature (i.e., N. cf. fieldsi), instead of formally referring these remains to N. fieldsi, pending the discovery of additional specimens. The occurrence of Neosaimiri in Peru, in coeval deposits of La Venta, thus represents a second and southernmost record of that low-latitude genus in the Neotropics, thereby demonstrating its wide distribution along the northwestern edge of the Pebas Mega-Wetland System, in tropical western South America.

Age estimation of fragmented human dental remains by secondary dentin virtual analysis.

Unlike bones, teeth are remarkably resilient and can withstand severe trauma, making age assessment based on the dentition essential for forensic analysis. Modern techniques for age estimation focus on pulp-chamber volume measurements using radiographs and computerized tomography (CT); however, these are applicable only for complete teeth (i.e., with intact crown and root). In the current study, we developed a new approach using high-resolution micro-computerized tomography (μCT) to visualize the secondary dentin (SD), an inner layer surrounding the pulp which accumulates with age, thus facilitating age estimation of fragmented and broken teeth.The growth pattern of the SD with age was analyzed for 77 lower premolars from two anthropological collections. A comparison of SD virtual segmentation and histological measurement was highly correlative (ICC = 0.95). SD was measured per volume (mm3) of a 1mm thick slice directly below the cemento-enamel junction. Regression analysis using SD measurements increased the success rates of age estimation (82%) compared with the "gold-standard" pulp/dentin method (54%) in the range of ± 10years. The accuracy of age estimation based on SD analysis was improved to a range of 7-8years.The SD method thus allows age estimation with greater prediction rates and better accuracy based on only a small fragment of a tooth in a non-invasive manner. This novel methodology is easy to use, accessible, and bears implications in various fields such as forensic sciences and anthropological research.