Molar Size Research Articles

Dental topography of platyrrhines and prosimians: Convergence and contrasts

Dental topographic analysis is the quantitative assessment of shape of three-dimensional models of tooth crowns and component features. Molar topographic curvature, relief, and complexity correlate with aspects of feeding behavior in certain living primates, and have been employed to investigate dietary ecology in extant and extinct primate species. This study investigates whether dental topography correlates with diet among a diverse sample of living platyrrhines, and compares platyrrhine topography with that of prosimians. We sampled 111 lower second molars of 11 platyrrhine genera and 121 of 20 prosimian genera. For each tooth we calculated Dirichlet normal energy (DNE), relief index (RFI), and orientation patch count (OPCR), quantifying surface curvature, relief, and complexity respectively. Shearing ratios and quotients were also measured. Statistical analyses partitioned effects of diet and taxon on topography in platyrrhines alone and relative to prosimians. Discriminant function analyses assessed predictive diet models. Results indicate that platyrrhine dental topography correlates to dietary preference, and platyrrhine-only predictive models yield high rates of accuracy. The same is true for prosimians. Topographic variance is broadly similar among platyrrhines and prosimians. One exception is that platyrrhines display higher average relief and lower relief variance, possibly related to lower relative molar size and functional links between relief and tooth longevity distinct from curvature or complexity. Explicitly incorporating phylogenetic distance matrices into statistical analyses of the combined platyrrhine-prosimian sample results in loss of significance of dietary effects for OPCR and SQ, while greatly increasing dietary significance of RFI.

Influence of temperature on the apparent molar masses and sizes of pregelatinized wx corn in aqueous media determined using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation

Influence of temperature on the apparent molar masses and sizes of pregelatinized wx corn in aqueous media determined using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation

Loss of molar occlusion and mandibular morphology in adults in an ancient human population consuming a coarse diet

The purpose of the study is to investigate the link between number of molar teeth retained in occlusion and mandibular morphology in adults in an ancient, high dental wear human population. The study material comprises skeletons from Mediaeval Wharram Percy, England (N = 50 female, 69 male adults). It was hypothesized that adults retaining fewer occluding molars would show reduction in mandibular dimensions, particularly in the ascending ramus and gonial regions where the main muscles of mastication have their insertions. Molar occlusal status is assessed using the concept of functional units. Mandibular morphology is assessed using a suite of ten linear measurements plus the mandibular angle. Results show no evidence for any association between number of molars retained in occlusion and mandibular angle. There was an association between mandibular size and number of molars retained in occlusion, with smaller mandibular dimensions in those retaining fewer occluding molars. Some measurements were affected more than others so that there was also some shape alteration. Alteration of mandibular dimensions was more clearly demonstrable in females than in males. Only in females could significant reduction in the ascending ramus and gonial regions be demonstrated. Reasons for the apparent difference in response to loss of molar occlusion between male and female mandibles are unclear, but sex differences in bony metabolism mediated by hormonal factors may be implicated. Results suggest that care should be exercised when including mandibles from individuals showing loss of molar occlusion in morphological studies.

Geometric morphometric 3D shape analysis and covariation of human mandibular and maxillary first molars

Dental casts of 160 Greek subjects (80 males, 80 females) were scanned by a structured-light scanner. The upper and lower right first molar occlusal surface 3D meshes were processed using geometric morphometric methods. A total of 265 and 274 curve and surface sliding semilandmarks were placed on the upper and lower molar surfaces, respectively. Principal component analysis and partial least square analysis were performed to assess shape parameters. Molars tended to vary between an elongated and a more square form. The first two principal components (PCs), comprising almost 1/3 of molar shape variation, were related to mesiodistal-buccolingual ratios and relative cusp position. Distal cusps displayed the greatest shape variability. Molars of males were larger than those of females (2.8 and 3.2% for upper and lower molars respectively), but no shape dimorphism was observed. Upper and lower molar sizes were significantly correlated (r(2) = 0.689). Allometry was observed for both teeth. Larger lower molars were associated with shorter cusps, expansion of the distal cusp, and constriction of the mesial cusps (predicted variance 3.25%). Upper molars displayed weaker allometry (predicted variance 1.59%). Upper and lower molar shape covariation proved significant (RV = 17.26%, P < 0.0001). The main parameter of molar covariation in partial least square axis 1, contributing to 30% of total covariation, was cusp height, in contrast to the primary variability traits exhibited by PC1 and PC2. The aim of this study was to evaluate shape variation and covariation, including allometry and sexual dimorphism, of maxillary and mandibular first permanent molar occlusal surfaces.

Use of domesticated pigs by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in northwestern Europe

Mesolithic populations throughout Europe used diverse resource exploitation strategies that focused heavily on collecting and hunting wild prey. Between 5500 and 4200 cal BC, agriculturalists migrated into northwestern Europe bringing a suite of Neolithic technologies including domesticated animals. Here we investigate to what extent Mesolithic Ertebølle communities in northern Germany had access to domestic pigs, possibly through contact with neighbouring Neolithic agricultural groups. We employ a multidisciplinary approach, applying sequencing of ancient mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (coat colour-coding gene MC1R) as well as traditional and geometric morphometric (molar size and shape) analyses in Sus specimens from 17 Neolithic and Ertebølle sites. Our data from 63 ancient pig specimens show that Ertebølle hunter-gatherers acquired domestic pigs of varying size and coat colour that had both Near Eastern and European mitochondrial DNA ancestry. Our results also reveal that domestic pigs were present in the region ~500 years earlier than previously demonstrated.

Molecular Properties and Aggregation of Porphyrin-modified Polysiloxane in Solutions

Molecular properties and aggregation behavior of a polysiloxane with grafted side chain groups consisting of asymmetrical hydroxy-functionalized porphyrin were studied in dilute solutions. In order to understand the mechanism of aggregation of the polymeric porphyrin derivatives, several analyses of chloroform solutions were performed permitting comparison of the data obtained by means of different techniques. Molar mass and hydrodynamic size of the macromolecules were obtained using the methods of analytical ultracentrifugation, isothermal translational diffusion, and viscometry. Long distance interactions between macromolecules in dilute solutions were detected with static light scattering. With increasing the concentration of the solutions, the electronic and fluorescence spectra bands assigned to generation of H and J aggregates became apparent. The organization of aggregates, which seemed to be favored by chloroform, was visualized by atomic force microscopy images that displayed sponge-like morphology, small triangular particles, characteristic of H aggregates, and nano or micro-structured ring geometries obtained by the side-by-side J-process, coexisting together.

The influence of dentition on the developing mandible in a mouse model

Developing dentition is considered an important influence on mandibular size and shape. Previously, it was shown that mandibular size and shape was affected in mice carrying an Fgfr2C342Y/+ mutation, specifically in the ramus rather than alveolar region. Here it is hypothesized that molar size will have a more significant correlation with size and shape of the mandibular alveolar region compared to the ramal region throughout ontogeny. Micro‐CT scans of adult (n=20), perinatal (n=9) and prenatal (n=9) wildtype and mutant mice were used to reconstruct total molar surface area and to collect 3‐D landmark data. Shape and size analyses for each region were conducted using EDMA. Partial correlations were used to test the influence of molar size.Results partly support the stated hypotheses. Principle coordinate plots demonstrate a clear separation in both alveolar and ramal shape between mutant and wildtype mice at each age range. Comparisons of geometric mean using t‐tests reveal that ramal size is significantly smaller in prenatal and adult mutants (p&lt;0.05) but not in the alveolar region (p&gt;;0.05). Partial correlations did not suggest that molar size had a stronger influence on alveolar regions. In conclusion, the alveolar region is less affected than the ramus, however it is not clear whether the dentition is driving this regional difference. It is possible that other ontogenetic factors are masking this signal.Grant Funding Source: NSF

Correlation of Mandibular Second Molar Impaction with Third Molar Size, Angulation, Developmental Stage, and Bud Position

Objective: The present study assessed the association of size, axial angulation, developmental stage and bud position of the mandibular third molar with the second molar impaction in patients with mandibular second molar impaction. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study (Case-Control Design), dental records of 5,420 patients in the age range of 12-15 years who underwent orthodontic treatment were assessed out of which 20 patients (14 females and 6 males) with lower second molar impaction were studied. Twenty control patients with erupted second molars were selected from the same centers and matched with the case group. Total sample size was 40 (Case and Control) and had normal distribution for the determined measurements. Third molar axial angulation towards the second molar, first molar and mandibular base, mesiodistal width of 3 rd molar /2nd molar ratio, Nolla developmental stage and third molar bud position were measured and calculated in patients with impacted and erupted second molars and analyzed using student t and chi-square tests. Results: The mean degree of third molar angulation towards the second molar, first molar and mandibular base was 30.20, 53.6, and 51.3 degrees in cases and 21.4, 34.65 and 45.15 degrees in controls, respectively. Significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of third molar angulation towards the second molar (30.2 Vs 21.4 degrees p<0.047), and first molar (53.6 Vs 34.65 degrees p<0.0001); while no differences were found between the two groups in terms of third molar angulation towards the mandibular base (51.3 Vs 45.15 degrees). The mean mesiodistal width of third molar/ second molar ratio was 0.99 in cases and 0.95 in controls with no significant difference. Nolla developmental stage and position of the marginal ridge of the third molar bud towards the second molar showed no definite relation with second molar impaction. Conclusion: It seems that angulation of third molar to the second and first molars is a major contributing factor to increase the risk of second molar impaction. Third molars size, developmental stages, and bud positions, do not show a significant relation to the second molar impaction.

Unique inhibitory cascade pattern of molars in canids contributing to their potential to evolutionary plasticity of diet

Developmental origins that guide the evolution of dental morphology and dental formulae are fundamental subjects in mammalian evolution. In a previous study, a developmental model termed the inhibitory cascade model was established. This model could explain variations in relative molar sizes and loss of the lower third molars, which sometimes reflect diet, in murine rodents and other mammals. Here, I investigated the pattern of relative molar sizes (inhibitory cascade pattern) in canids, a taxon exhibiting a wide range of dietary habits. I found that interspecific variation in canid molars suggests a unique inhibitory cascade pattern that differs from that in murine rodents and other previously reported mammals, and that this variation reflects dietary habits. This unique variability in molars was also observed in individual variation in canid species. According to these observations, canid species have greater variability in the relative sizes of first molars (carnassials), which are functionally important for dietary adaptation in the Carnivora. In conclusion, an inhibitory cascade that differs from that in murine rodents and other mammals may have contributed to diverse dietary patterns and to their parallel evolution in canids.

Difference of the size of average crown width first molar and second molar mandible of the Pawon Man with modern man

Introduction: Pawon Man is prehistoric human who was expected life about 9525-5660 BC and have lived in a Cave Pawon located in Mountain Masigit Village, District Cipatat, Bandung Regency. The purpose of this research to analyzed the difference size of average crown width first molar and second molar mandible Pawon Man with Modern Man. Methods: The research used a descriptive method, so that from 4 archives radiograph Pawon man, can be obtained 14 samples radiographs Cone Beam Computed Tomography first tooth molars and second molars mandible. The research conducted on Ez Implant-3D program using a digital ruler, measurement results then recorded in tabular form, then statistically analyzed using independent two-sample t test. Results: The average size of widht crown first tooth molars and second molars mandible were larger for Pawon Man teeth than Modern Man. Conclusion: The average size of widht crown first tooth molars and second molars mandible were larger for Pawon Man teeth, because Pawon Man eating hard food and rough textured with simple food processing, with transition of culture has changed the dietary and food technology, so the shape of the big teeth are no longer needed.

Evolutionary and Biological Implications of Dental Mesial Drift in Rodents: The Case of the Ctenodactylidae (Rodentia, Mammalia)

Dental characters are importantly used for reconstructing the evolutionary history of mammals, because teeth represent the most abundant material available for the fossil species. However, the characteristics of dental renewal are presently poorly used, probably because dental formulae are frequently not properly established, whereas they could be of high interest for evolutionary and developmental issues. One of the oldest rodent families, the Ctenodactylidae, is intriguing in having longstanding disputed dental formulae. Here, we investigated 70 skulls among all extant ctenodactylid genera (Ctenodactylus, Felovia, Massoutiera and Pectinator) by using X-ray conventional and synchrotron microtomography in order to solve and discuss these dental issues. Our study clearly indicates that Massoutiera, Felovia and Ctenodactylus differ from Pectinator not only by a more derived dentition, but also by a more derived eruptive sequence. In addition to molars, their dentition only includes the fourth deciduous premolars, and no longer bears permanent premolars, conversely to Pectinator. Moreover, we found that these premolars are lost during adulthood, because of mesial drift of molars. Mesial drift is a striking mechanism involving migration of teeth allowed by both bone remodeling and dental resorption. This dental innovation is to date poorly known in rodents, since it is only the second report described. Interestingly, we noted that dental drift in rodents is always associated with high-crowned teeth favoring molar size enlargement. It can thus represent another adaptation to withstand high wear, inasmuch as these rodents inhabit desert environments where dust is abundant. A more accurate study of mesial drift in rodents would be very promising from evolutionary, biological and orthodontic points of view.

Molar size and diet in the Strepsirrhini: Implications for size-adjustment in studies of primate dental adaptation

Among the Strepsirrhini, molar size does not exhibit a consistent dietary signal when body mass is used to size-adjust molar dimensions. This observation is also true for anthropoid primates, but when postcanine size is expressed relative to the size of the facial skeleton in this clade, folivorous anthropoids tend to have relatively larger postcanine teeth than anthropoids in other dietary categories. The contrast in the results generated by these two independent size variables appears to be related to systematic differences in facial size in the Anthropoidea, particularly between short-faced colobines and long-faced cercopithecines. The goal of this study was to determine whether a similar pattern of relationships characterizes strepsirrhines. Data on molar area, facial size, body mass, and diet for forty-three extant strepsirrhines and seven subfossil lemurs were analyzed using phylogenetic generalized least squares. Results indicate that strepsirrhine folivores tend to have larger molars than frugivores relative to the size of the facial skeleton. Insectivorous species exhibit a wide range of variation in relative molar size that appears to be taxonomically patterned: lorisids in this dietary category resemble folivores, whereas galagids resemble frugivores. These results confirm the generality of the anthropoid pattern and support the idea that, in some contexts, it may be useful to consider elements of the masticatory system relative to their functional and developmental environments rather than to overall organismal size. The biological significance of having large postcanine teeth relative to the size of the face, but not body mass, is discussed with reference to a model that identifies the size of the oral cavity as the most functionally relevant standard for assessing the relative size of the postcanine dentition.

A juvenile skull of Ancylotherium (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae) from the Pliocene of China

Though rarely found, chalicotheres have long been considered as indicators of wooded environment because of their unique anatomical structure and inferred ecological habits. A juvenile skull of a chalicothere with its articulated mandible was unearthed from the Duikang locality, Guanghe County, Gansu Province, China. This specimen can be identified as Ancylotherium sp. based on its short symphysis, shallow mandible, high crown and large size of upper molars, obvious crochets on upper milk teeth, complex structure of DP2 and dp2, and developed metastylids on the lower milk teeth. This rare skull differs from all other known species of the genus Ancylotherium. Nonetheless, existence of Ancylotherium in China is confirmed without doubt; at least five species in China (from Gansu, Sichuan, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces respectively) can be attributed to this genus. Ancylotherium and its contemporaneous faunal components at the Duikang locality, together indicate a subarid steppe environment with small patches of forest in the Linxia Basin during the Early Pliocene.

When less means more: evolutionary and developmental hypotheses in rodent molars

Tooth number in rodents is an example of reduction in evolution. All rodents have a toothless diastema lacking canine and most premolars present in most other mammals. Whereas some rodent lineages retained one premolar (p4), many others lost it during evolution. Recently, an 'inhibitory cascade' developmental model (IC) has been used to predict how the first molar (m1) influences the number and relative sizes of the following distal molars (m2 and m3). The model does not, however, consider the presence of premolars, and here we examine whether the premolar could influence and constrain molar proportions during development and evolution. By investigating a large data set of both extinct and extant rodent families over more than 40 million years, we show that the basal phenotype is characterized by the presence of premolars together with equally sized molars. More recent rodent families, with and without premolar, show more unequal molar sizes. Analysing molar areas, we demonstrated that (i) rodents harbour almost all the molar proportions known in mammals, and the IC model can explain about 80% of taxa in our data set; (ii) proportions of molars are influenced by the presence or absence of p4; and (iii) the most variable teeth in the dental row are m1 and m3, whether p4 is present or not. Moreover, m1 can represent up to half of the total molar area when p4 is absent. We hypothesize that p4 loss during evolution released the constraint on m1 development, resulting in a more variable size of m1 and thereby having an indirect effect on the evolution of the whole molar row.

The long and winding road: identifying pig domestication through molar size and shape

The ability to document the effects of domestication from archaeological remains of animals and plants is essential for reconstructing the history of one of the most important transitions in human prehistory – the shift from hunting and gathering to farming. In mammals, teeth are well preserved in archaeological remains and are known to be taxonomically informative. In this study, we compare three sets of dental morphometric descriptors in wild and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) – maximum length, size and shape variables from 2D geometric morphometrics – in order to assess which of the three provides the best ability to correctly distinguish current wild and domestic West Palaearctic pigs. For this purpose, we used predictive linear discriminant analysis with cross-validation taking into account potential bias due to heterogeneous sample sizes and important number of predictors. Classification accuracy of wild and domestic status ranged between 77.3 and 93% depending of the tooth and the descriptor analyzed. However, individual posterior probabilities of correct classification were appreciably smaller when using tooth length and centroid size compared to shape variables. Size appeared to be a poor indicator of wild and domestic status, contrary to shape which in addition provides a high degree of confidence in the wild versus domestic predictions. Our results indicate that geometric morphometrics offers an extremely powerful alternative to more traditional biometric approaches of length and width measurements to capture the elusive morphological changes induced by the domestication process in archaeological remains.

Detrimental Effects of Maternal Lead Exposure during Pregnancy and Lactation on Molar Development in the Young Rat

The purpose of this animal study was to investigate the influence of maternal lead exposure during pregnancy and lactation on molar development in the offspring. Scanning electron microscopy revealed no significant differences in the molar morphology among the groups. However, in all the experimental groups, deep, wide cracks were found in the occlusal enamel. Further, the experimental groups had smaller molar diameters than the control group, lead exposure during lactation had a greater influence on the molar size in the offspring, and the groups with the higher dose of lead exposure during pregnancy and lactation had significantly smaller molar sizes than the groups that received the lower dose. The mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters of molars were measured as 3.10 ± 0.07 and 1.95 ± 0.04 mm for control group, 2.97 ± 0.08 and 1.94 ± 0.01 mm for lactation group of low dose, 2.96 ± 0.05 and 1.84 ± 0.02 mm for lactation group of high dose, 3.09 ± 0.06 and 1.94 ± 0.04 mm for pregnancy group of low dose, and 3.02 ± 0.06 and 1.85 ± 0.06 mm for pregnancy group of high dose, respectively.

Barrier properties of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)/cellulose composite membranes

AbstractPoly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA)/cellulose composite membranes were prepared and their vapor permeation characteristics were studied. Two types of EVA [having vinyl acetate contents of 18% (EVA18) and of 40% (EVA40), respectively] were used for the composite fabrication. Cellulose, isolated from banana waste fibers, was used as the filler. It was observed that the EVA40 composites were more permeating than were the EVA18 composites. This observation is explained on the basis of more amorphous nature of EVA40 as compared to EVA18. The extent of vapor permeation decreased with increase in the cellulose content in the composites. The presence of voids in the polymer membranes that were designed to possess controlled behavior for the permeation was confirmed using scanning electron microscopic images to complement the observations made during the permeation studies. The influence of molecular weight, molar size, and polarity of the penetrants, on the permeation process, was also considered. The permeability of the membrane samples was calculated and the values obtained were compared with the theoretical values provided by using the modified Neilson permeability equation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

&lt;i&gt;Nyctereutes terblanchei&lt;/i&gt;: The raccoon dog that never was

Fossils of the raccoon dog (genus Nyctereutes) are particularly rare in the African Plio-Pleistocene record, whilst the sole living representative, Nyctereutes procyonoides, is found in eastern Asia and parts of Europe. In southern Africa, only one fossil species of raccoon dog has been identified - Nyctereutes terblanchei. N. terblanchei is recognised from a handful of Plio-Pleistocene sites in South Africa: Kromdraai, Kromdraai-Coopers and Sterkfontein in Gauteng, as well as Elandsfontein in the Western Cape Province. The validity of this species identification was questioned on the basis of the rarity of southern African fossils assigned to Nyctereutes, that is, fewer than 10 specimens have been identified as Nyctereutes. This study examined this fossil sample of the raccoon dog from the Gauteng sites and compared dental and cranial metrics of the fossil with samples of modern canids and published data. Morphological traits used to distinguish Nyctereutes, such as the pronounced subangular lobe on the mandible and the relatively large size of the lower molars, were observed to be variable in all samples. Analysis showed that the size of the dentition of the southern African fossil samples was larger than that of living raccoon dogs, but fell well within the range of that of African jackals. These results suggest that fossil Nyctereutes cannot be distinguished from other canid species based on metric data alone, and may only be diagnosable using combinations of non-metric traits of the dentition and skull. However, based on the degree of morphological variability of the traits used to diagnose Nyctereutes, as well as the rarity of this genus in the African fossil record, these fossils are more likely to belong to a species of jackal or fox.

Testing a developmental model in the fossil record: molar proportions in South American ungulates

A developmental model, based upon murine rodents, has been proposed by Kavanagh et al. (2007) to explain lower molar proportions in mammals. We produce a clade-wide macroevolutionary test of the model using the dental evolutionary trends in a unique radiation of extinct mammals endemic to South America (“Meridiungulata”) that comprise a diverse array of molar morphologies. All of the South American ungulate groups examined follow the inhibitory cascade model with the exception of two groups: Interatheriidae (Notoungulata) and Astrapotheria. For most taxa studied, ratios between lower molar areas are greater than 1.0, indicating a weak inhibition by m1 on the subsequent molars in the tooth row, and a trend to greater absolute size of the posterior molars. Comparisons of mean ratios between clades indicate that a significant phylogenetic signal can be detected, particularly between the two groups within Notoungulata— Typotheria and Toxodontia. Body mass estimates were found to be significantly correlated with both m3/m1 and m2/m1 ratios, suggesting that the larger body size achieved the weaker inhibition between the lower molars. Molar ratio patterns are examined and discussed in relation to the independent and numerous acquisitions of hypsodonty that are characteristic of dental evolution in “Meridiungulata.”

New fossil records of Tapirus (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from Brazil, with a critical analysis of intra-generic diversity assessments based on lower molar size variability

A large set of South American fossils belonging to the genus Tapirus has been described on the basis of differences in size and proportions of lower molariform teeth. Nevertheless, the reliability of dental proportions for the diagnosis of fossil tapir species is controversial. In this paper, we describe new fossil material of Tapirus from the Quaternary of Serra da Bodoquena, Southwestern Brazil, comparing it to other fossil and extant specimens of the genus by means of multivariate morphometric analyses of lower molariform teeth linear dimensions. The results of Principal Component Analyses indicate that some of the extant and extinct material attributed to Tapirus fall within the range of variation in size and proportions of lower molariform teeth exhibited by recent species of the genus. Therefore, part of the fossil material attributed to new species or to Tapirus sp. may be referable to the extant species Tapirus terrestris. We conclude that the sole use of lower molariform teeth size and proportions to erect new species of Tapirus may not be reliable, and therefore we advocate caution when describing fossil tapirs exclusively based on these criteria.