Direct correlation of human skull vault thickness with geomagnetic intensity in some northern hemisphere populations

Ivanhoe, Francis

doi:10.1016/0047-2484(79)90081-2

Cited by 18 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Several hypotheses have attempted to link postcranial and cranial skeletal robusticity in H. erectus to common factors, including: variation in geomagnetism (Ivanhoe, 1979); nonpathological, inherited medullary stenosis (Kennedy, 1985); hyperostosis induced by a high‐protein, low‐calcium diet (Kennedy, 1985); and increased levels of systemic hormones linked to exercise (Lieberman, 1996). Subsequent research has discredited all but the last of these hypotheses (Kennedy, 1985; Nawrocki, 1991; Ruff et al, 1993).…”

Section: Cranial Vault Thickness and Shapementioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for the Influence of Diet on Cranial Form and Robusticity

Menegaz

Sublett

Figueroa

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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The evolutionary significance of cranial form and robusticity in early Homo has been variously attributed to allometry, encephalization, metabolic factors, locomotor activity, and masticatory forces. However, the influence of such factors is variably understood. To evaluate the effect of masticatory loading on neurocranial form, sibling groups of weanling white rabbits were divided into two cohorts of 10 individuals each and raised on either a soft diet or a hard/tough diet for 16 weeks until subadulthood. Micro-CT was used to quantify and visualize morphological variation between treatment groups. Results reveal trends (P < 0.10) for greater outer table thickness of the frontal bones, zygomatic height, and cranial globularity in rabbits raised on a hard/tough diet. Furthermore, analyses of three-dimensional coordinate landmark data indicate that the basicrania of hard/tough diet rabbits exhibit more robust middle cranial fossae and pterygoid plates, as well as altered overall morphology of the caudal cranial fossa. Thus, long term increases in masticatory loads may result in thickening of the bones of the neurocranial vault and/or altering the curvature of the walls. Differences in cranial regions not directly associated with the generation or resistance of masticatory forces (i.e., frontal bone, basicranium) may be indirectly correlated with diet-induced variation in maxillomandibular morphology. These findings also suggest that long-term variation in masticatory forces associated with differences in dietary properties can contribute to the complex and multifactorial development of neurocranial morphology. Anat Rec, 293:630-641, 2010. V V C 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: cranial vault thickness; cranial globularity; dietary properties; masticatory stresses/loads; plasticity; rabbitsSince the origin of the genus Homo, the craniofacial skeleton has undergone a remarkable amount of phenotypic evolution. Obvious changes, such as expansion of the neurocranium and reduction of the facial skeleton, are accompanied by a suite of localized and/or cross-sectional features, which distinguish modern humans from

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Section: Cranial Vault Thickness and Shapementioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for the Influence of Diet on Cranial Form and Robusticity

Menegaz

Sublett

Figueroa

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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“…Traditionally, anthropologists have used spreading callipers or radiographs to measure cranial thickness at specific anatomical landmarks (Todd, 1924;Roche, 1953;Ivanhoe, 1979;Nawrocki, 1991;Koenig et al, 1995;Lynnerup, 2001). Traditional callipers can be easily employed to measure isolated bones and fragmented skulls, but they cannot be used with complete skulls, where the foramen magnum represents the only access to the endocranial cavity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cranial vault thickness measurement and distribution: a study with a magnetic calliper

Lianes

Bruner

Cambra‐Moo

et al. 2019

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Cranial vault thickness is a widely studied variable in physical anthropology. However, direct physical measurements are difficult to assess in complete skulls, where the endocranial surface is not easily accessible for standard callipers. Computed tomography represents the best alternative, but is expensive and not always available for many field or museum samples. In this study we present a method for the measurement of cranial vault thickness based on magnetism. We measured bone thickness at 71 points of the vault in 30 human skulls with the use of a portable magnetic calliper, which offers a simple, direct, non-invasive, and cost-effective methodology. Magnetic measures were compared with physical measures sampled with a traditional spreading calliper, and error analysis was assessed. Thickness distribution was evaluated and represented in bidimensional maps after spatial interpolation. The two types of callipers provide the same results, suggesting that the magnetic calliper can be used in those situations in which a traditional calliper is not applicable. In accordance with previously published data, the most variable and thickest bones in our sample were the frontal and the occipital bones, and cranial vault thickness distribution follows a pattern of increasing thickness from lateral regions of the vault to the sagittal plane. The magnetic calliper is a reliable and effective tool to measure cranial thickness in those cases in which the endocranial surface is not easily accessible, and where expensive technology cannot be employed for economic or practical reasons.

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“…Indeed, shielding from the Earth's fields results in a wide range of patterning defects and physiological alterations in plants and animals [Conley, 1970;Brown and Chow, 1973]. Geological changes in GMF have been linked to extinctions [Harrison and Funnel, 1964;Watkins and Goodell, 1967;Hays, 1971], as well as aspects of the large scale evolutionary course of a number of species [Simpson, 1966;Kopper and Papamarinopoulos, 1978;Ivanhoe, 1979Ivanhoe, , 1982.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioelectromagnetics in morphogenesis

Levin¹

2003

Bioelectromagnetics

125

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Understanding the factors that allow biological systems to reliably self-assemble consistent, highly complex, four dimensional patterns on many scales is crucial for the biomedicine of cancer, regeneration, and birth defects. The role of chemical signaling factors in controlling embryonic morphogenesis has been a central focus in modern developmental biology. While the role of tensile forces is also beginning to be appreciated, another major aspect of physics remains largely neglected by molecular embryology: electromagnetic fields and radiations. The continued progress of molecular approaches to understanding biological form and function in the post genome era now requires the merging of genetics with functional understanding of biophysics and physiology in vivo. The literature contains much data hinting at an important role for bioelectromagnetic phenomena as a mediator of morphogenetic information in many contexts relevant to embryonic development. This review attempts to highlight briefly some of the most promising (and often underappreciated) findings that are of high relevance for understanding the biophysical factors mediating morphogenetic signals in biological systems. These data originate from contexts including embryonic development, neoplasm, and regeneration.

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Direct correlation of human skull vault thickness with geomagnetic intensity in some northern hemisphere populations

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

Evidence for the Influence of Diet on Cranial Form and Robusticity

Evidence for the Influence of Diet on Cranial Form and Robusticity

Cranial vault thickness measurement and distribution: a study with a magnetic calliper

Bioelectromagnetics in morphogenesis

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