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Computerized Reconstruction of Prenatal Growth Trajectories in the Dentition: Implications for the Taxonomic Status of Neandertals

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Continuity and Discontinuity in the Peopling of Europe

Part of the book series: Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology ((VERT))

Abstract

The hierarchical pattern of tooth formation means that successive phases of development can be identified in fully formed teeth offering a unique insight into ontogenetic processes. The spatial geometry of the cusps expressed in the topography of the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) records the partitioning of cell proliferation and differentiation as well as the timing of these events. The final stage of development is expressed in the topography of the fully formed crown (OES). Here, the overlying shell of enamel increases crown volume, while modifying cusp relations seen at the DEJ reflecting local variations in enamel thickness.

Using serial scans taken with a micro-CT at 16 μm we have developed a three-dimensional model that enables us to identify, and more importantly quantify, all these developmental features. We have applied this model to reconstruct growth trajectories and their impact on tooth size and cusp relationships in teeth of varying size and tooth classes. The results are used to interpret the extent of developmental variation expressed in Neandertal molars. They indicate that the characteristic features of Neandertal teeth, expressed in intercusp distances and proportions, thin enamel and taurodont roots represent a different partitioning of cell division and differentiation from that observed in Homo sapiens sapiens.

Our findings indicate the existence of differences between Neandertals and other hominins in genes controlling the switch-on/switch-off mechanism that regulates the timing, rate and spatial organization of cell proliferation and differentiation of epithelial derived tissues. The thin Neandertal enamel results in teeth that wear down fast, resulting in loss of dental function. We propose that the changes observed in Neandertal teeth, may be secondary to those occurring in other organs developing from epithelial-mesenchymal interaction, with greater adaptive significance.

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Acknowledgements

Research supported by Grant No. 032-5302 from the Israel Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Bio-Anthropology and Ancient-DNA, Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University-Hadassah, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel

    Patricia Smith & Gal Avishai

  2. Institute for Biomechanics, HCI E 357.2, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str., 108093, Zürich, Switzerland

    Ralph Müller

  3. Institute of Genetic Medicine, Kech School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, IGM/CSC 240, L.A., 90033, USA

    Yankel Gabet

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  1. Patricia Smith
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  2. Gal Avishai
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  4. Yankel Gabet
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Correspondence to Patricia Smith or Gal Avishai .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , EFS, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie biocult, Université de la Méditerranée, Bd Pierre Dramard, Marseille Cedex 15, 13344, France

    Silvana Condemi

  2. Stiftung Neanderthal Museum, Talstraße 300, Mettmann, 40822, Germany

    Gerd-Christian Weniger

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Smith, P., Avishai, G., Müller, R., Gabet, Y. (2011). Computerized Reconstruction of Prenatal Growth Trajectories in the Dentition: Implications for the Taxonomic Status of Neandertals. In: Condemi, S., Weniger, GC. (eds) Continuity and Discontinuity in the Peopling of Europe. Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0492-3_14

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