Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus

David S. Strait; Gerhard W. Weber; Paul Constantino; Peter W. Lucas; Brian G. Richmond; Mark A. Spencer; Paul C. Dechow; Callum F. Ross; Ian R. Grosse; Barth W. Wright; Bernard A. Wood; Qian Wang; Craig Byron; Dennis E. Slice

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.10.006

Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus

David S. Strait
, Gerhard W. Weber
, Paul Constantino
, Peter W. Lucas
, Brian G. Richmond
, Mark A. Spencer
, Paul C. Dechow
, Callum F. Ross
, Ian R. Grosse
, Barth W. Wright
, Bernard A. Wood
, Qian Wang
, Craig Byron
, Dennis E. Slice

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	165-168
Number of pages	4
Journal	Journal of Human Evolution
Volume	62
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.10.006
State	Published - Jan 2012

Keywords

Australopithecus
Diet
Feeding mechanics
Finite element analysis
Microwear

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10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.10.006

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Strait, D. S., Weber, G. W., Constantino, P., Lucas, P. W., Richmond, B. G., Spencer, M. A., Dechow, P. C., Ross, C. F., Grosse, I. R., Wright, B. W., Wood, B. A., Wang, Q., Byron, C., & Slice, D. E. (2012). Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. Journal of Human Evolution, 62(1), 165-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.10.006

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title = "Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus",

abstract = "Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.",

keywords = "Australopithecus, Diet, Feeding mechanics, Finite element analysis, Microwear",

author = "Strait, \{David S.\} and Weber, \{Gerhard W.\} and Paul Constantino and Lucas, \{Peter W.\} and Richmond, \{Brian G.\} and Spencer, \{Mark A.\} and Dechow, \{Paul C.\} and Ross, \{Callum F.\} and Grosse, \{Ian R.\} and Wright, \{Barth W.\} and Wood, \{Bernard A.\} and Qian Wang and Craig Byron and Slice, \{Dennis E.\}",

year = "2012",

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AU - Lucas, Peter W.

AU - Richmond, Brian G.

AU - Spencer, Mark A.

AU - Dechow, Paul C.

AU - Ross, Callum F.

AU - Grosse, Ian R.

AU - Wright, Barth W.

AU - Wood, Bernard A.

AU - Wang, Qian

AU - Byron, Craig

AU - Slice, Dennis E.

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AB - Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.

KW - Australopithecus

KW - Diet

KW - Feeding mechanics

KW - Finite element analysis

KW - Microwear

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84855197786

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SP - 165

EP - 168

JO - Journal of Human Evolution

JF - Journal of Human Evolution

IS - 1

ER -

Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus

Abstract

Keywords

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