Ontogenetic approach to variation in Middle Pleistocene hominids. Evidence from the Atapuerca-SH mandibles

Rosas, A.

doi:10.1007/bf02436237

Cited by 8 publications

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“…These hominins have been included in the species H. heidelbergensis (Arsuaga et al, 1997). Regarding the specific mandibular data, although the total sample contained at least 29 different specimens (Rosas, 1995, 1997, 2000), eight of these mandibles were almost complete and thus were selected for this study (see Table 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From a biological perspective, a number of studies have suggested that the morphological variation in the AT‐SH hominids follows essentially an allometric trajectory (Rosas, 1992, 1997, 2000). A major component of shape variation in these mandibles is thus related to size, or the attainment of adult size (i.e., growth).…”

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“…A major component of shape variation in these mandibles is thus related to size, or the attainment of adult size (i.e., growth). Various possible origins of the strong allometric nature of this morphological variation have been proposed, such as particular patterns of growth and development, and specific patterns of sexual dimorphism (Rosas, 2000; Rosas et al, 2002a); however, the evolutionary nature and consequences of this allometry are still not fully understood.…”

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Geometric morphometric analysis of allometric variation in the mandibular morphology of the hominids of Atapuerca, Sima de los Huesos site

Rosas

Bastir

2004

Anat. Rec.

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Allometry is an important factor of morphological integration that contributes to the organization of the phenotype and its variation. Variation in the allometric shape of the mandible is particularly important in hominid evolution because the mandible carries important taxonomic traits. Some of these traits are known to covary with size, particularly the retromolar space, symphyseal curvature, and position of the mental foramen. The mandible is a well studied system in the context of the evolutionary development of complex morphological structures because it is composed of different developmental units that are integrated within a single bone. In the present study, we investigated the allometric variation of two important developmental units that are separated by the inferior nerve (a branch of CN V3). We tested the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in allometric variation between the two components. Procrustes-based geometric morphometrics of 20 two-dimensional (2D) landmarks were analyzed by multivariate regressions of shape on size in samples from 121 humans, 48 chimpanzees, and 50 gorillas (all recent specimens), eight fossil hominids from Atapuerca, Sima de los Huesos (AT-SH), and 17 Neandertals. The findings show that in all of the examined species, there was significantly greater allometric variation in the supra-nerve unit than in the infra-nerve unit. The formation of the retromolar space exhibited an allometric relationship with the supra-nerve unit in all of the species studied. The formation of the chin-like morphology is an "apodynamic" feature of the infra-nerve unit in the AT-SH hominids. The results of this study support the hypothesis that allometry contributes to the organization of variation in complex morphological structures. Anat Rec Part A 278A: 551-560, 2004.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geometric morphometric analysis of allometric variation in the mandibular morphology of the hominids of Atapuerca, Sima de los Huesos site

Rosas

Bastir

2004

Anat. Rec.

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“…Interestingly, on the basis of mandibular size variation, Rosas (2000) has suggested that the Middle Pleistocene hominids (H. heidelbergensis) from the Sima de los Huesos site demonstrate significantly higher degree of craniofacial sexual dimorphism than that found in modern H. sapiens. Rosas (2000) relates this increased sexual dimorphism to substantially earlier maturation in females relative to males at Sima de los Huesos, indicating distinctly different ontogenetic patterns between the sexes from the site.…”

Section: Homo Antecessor and Homo Heidelbergensis (Middle Pleistocenementioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative assessment of infraorbital morphology in Homo

Maddux¹

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Features of the infraorbital region, such as infraorbital surface topography, infraorbital surface orientation, and curvature of the zygomaticoalveolar crest, have long played a prominent role in phylogenetic analyses of Homo. However, there is currently considerable debate regarding the phylogenetic reliability of infraorbital characters, as numerous researchers have questioned the degree to which these features are morphologically independent of one another and facial size. These questions stem largely from methodological limitations for accurately quantifying the curvilinear morphology of the infraorbital surface and zygomaticoalveolar crest, which have significantly impeded the ability to discern patterns of infraorbital integration and allometry.In this study, infraorbital surface and zygomaticoalveolar crest morphology are precisely assessed, through geometric morphometric methodologies well-suited for quantifying complex curvilinear structures, in a large sample of recent (n = 303) and fossil (n = 71) Homo. Once quantified, measures of infraorbital surface topography, infraorbital surface orientation and zygomaticoalveolar crest curvature are further evaluated for intercorrelation and allometry in order to more fully evaluate the morphological independence of commonly cited infraorbital characters. The results of this study indicate that most aspects of infraorbital surface topography, infraorbital surface orientation and zygomaticoalveolar crest curvature are significantly correlated with facial size across Homo. Moreover, certain aspects of infraorbital shape, such the degree of infraorbital surface depression and the overall curvature of the zygomaticoalveolar crest, appear to show additional, size-independent, intercorrelations, suggesting they form an integrated "infraorbital complex." In light of these results, the use of infraorbital characters as separate independent characters in Copyright by SCOTT DAVID MADDUX 2011 All Rights Reserved Graduate College ii For Tressaiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are numerous people and institutions without whose help this dissertation would not have been possible, and to whom I consequently owe a great debt of gratitude.First, I would like to thank Dr. Robert Franciscus, who has served as my advisor throughout graduate school at the University of Iowa. From the beginning he has been an enlightening teacher, conscientious mentor and trustworthy advisor, who has always given freely of his time, knowledge and resources. Without his expertise, patience and encouragement this dissertation would have been an insurmountable undertaking. It has been a truly immeasurable learning experience working in his lab, and I am grateful for having had the privilege of studying under such an exemplary paleoanthropologist.

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“…Most of the SH specimens represent adolescent and young adult individuals, with only two (Individuals 5 and 21) being considered older adults (35+ years of age at death) (Bermúdez de Castro et al, 2004), and both the growth and aging processes have been studied (Rosas, 2000; Rosas et al, 1999; Rosas & Martinez‐Maza, 2010). In addition, the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles have been argued to show an elevated level of sexual dimorphism (Rosas et al, 2002), and the sex has been estimated for a number of the more complete specimens.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Neandertal nature of the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos mandibles

Quam

Martı́nez

Rak

et al. 2023

The Anatomical Record

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The recovery of additional mandibular fossils from the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos (SH) site provides new insights into the evolutionary significance of this sample. In particular, morphological descriptions of the new adult specimens are provided, along with standardized metric data and phylogenetically relevant morphological features for the expanded adult sample. The new and more complete specimens extend the known range of variation in the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in some metric and morphological details. In other aspects, the addition of new specimens has made it possible to confirm previous observations based on more limited evidence. Pairwise comparisons of individual metric variables revealed the only significant difference between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals was a more vertical symphysis in the latter. Similarly, principal components analysis of size‐adjusted variables showed a strong similarity between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals. Morphologically, the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles show nearly the full complement of Neandertal‐derived features. Nevertheless, the Neandertals differ from the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in showing a high frequency of the H/O mandibular foramen, a truncated, thinned and inverted gonial margin, a high placement of the mylohyoid line at the level of the M3, a more vertical symphysis and somewhat more pronounced expression of the chin structures. Size‐related morphological variation in the SH hominins includes larger retromolar spaces, more posterior placement of the lateral corpus structures, and stronger markings associated with the muscles of mastication in larger specimens. However, phylogenetically relevant features in the SH sample are fairly stable and do not vary with the overall size of the mandible. Direct comparison of the enlarged mandibular sample from Atapuerca (SH) with the Mauer mandible, the type specimen of H. heidelbergensis, reveals important differences from the SH hominins, and there is no morphological counterpart of Mauer within the SH sample, suggesting the SH fossils should not be assigned to this taxon. The Atapuerca (SH) mandibles show a greater number of derived Neandertal features, particularly those related to midfacial prognathism and in the configuration of the superior ramus, than other European middle Pleistocene specimens. This suggests that more than one evolutionary lineage co‐existed in the middle Pleistocene, and, broadly speaking, it appears possible to separate the European middle Pleistocene mandibular remains into two distinct groupings. One group shows a suite of derived Neandertal features and includes specimens from the sites of Atapuerca (SH), Payre, l'Aubesier and Ehringsdorf. The other group includes specimens that generally lack derived Neandertal features and includes the mandibles from the sites of Mauer, Mala Balanica, Montmaurin and (probably) Visogliano. The two published Arago mandibles differ strongly from one another, with Arago 2 probably belonging to this former group, and Neandertal affinities being more difficult to identify in Arago 13. Outside of the SH sample, derived Neandertal features in the mandible only become more common during the second half of the middle Pleistocene. Acceptance of a cladogenetic pattern of evolution during the European middle Pleistocene has the potential to reconcile the predictions of the accretion model and the two phases model for the appearance of Neandertal morphology. The precise taxonomic classification of the SH hominins must contemplate features from the dentition, cranium, mandible and postcranial skeleton, all of which are preserved at the SH site. Nevertheless, the origin of the Neandertal clade may be tied to a speciation event reflected in the appearance of a suite of derived Neandertal features in the face, dentition and mandible, all of which are present in the Atapuerca (SH) hominins. This same suite of features also provides a useful anatomical basis to include other European middle Pleistocene mandibles and crania within the Neandertal clade.

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Ontogenetic approach to variation in Middle Pleistocene hominids. Evidence from the Atapuerca-SH mandibles

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Geometric morphometric analysis of allometric variation in the mandibular morphology of the hominids of Atapuerca, Sima de los Huesos site

Geometric morphometric analysis of allometric variation in the mandibular morphology of the hominids of Atapuerca, Sima de los Huesos site

A quantitative assessment of infraorbital morphology in Homo

The Neandertal nature of the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos mandibles

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