Oreopithecus bambolii is an extinct primate endemic to the Late Miocene Tusco-Sardinian insular paleobioprovince. As an endemic genus, Oreopithecus displayed numerous peculiar cranial and postcranial adaptations, including an unusual dental morphology. Oreopithecus shares many dental traits with extant catarrhines but also displays primitive features, such as long and narrow molars. In this study, 285 teeth of Oreopithecus from different localities in Tuscany (Baccinello V1 and V2, Ribolla, Casteani, Montemassi, Trasubbie, Serazzano, Montebamboli) and Sardinia (Fiume Santo) were measured. Only unworn or slightly worn permanent teeth were analyzed. Following previously established protocols, I took two measurements (buccolingual width and mesiodistal length) to study the odontometrics of Oreopithecus and to perform statistical comparisons of molar dimensions among specimens from different sites. I compared the measurements of Oreopithecus with available data for extinct and extant catarrhines. Oreopithecus shares dental traits, such as small incisors relative to cheek teeth and small M 1 /M 2 length and width ratios, with other Miocene apes. It also possesses more primitive features, such as longer than broad lower molars than other Miocene hominoids. Similar to previous analyses based on smaller samples, the statistical analyses reported here show no significant differences in molar length or width among the specimens from different localities. The odontometrics of O. bambolii characterize its unique dentition and lays the groundwork for further research on the odontology of this primate.
Analysis of odontometric traits in Oreopithecus bambolii
Weronika Karolina Cieszynska
2023-01-01
Abstract
Oreopithecus bambolii is an extinct primate endemic to the Late Miocene Tusco-Sardinian insular paleobioprovince. As an endemic genus, Oreopithecus displayed numerous peculiar cranial and postcranial adaptations, including an unusual dental morphology. Oreopithecus shares many dental traits with extant catarrhines but also displays primitive features, such as long and narrow molars. In this study, 285 teeth of Oreopithecus from different localities in Tuscany (Baccinello V1 and V2, Ribolla, Casteani, Montemassi, Trasubbie, Serazzano, Montebamboli) and Sardinia (Fiume Santo) were measured. Only unworn or slightly worn permanent teeth were analyzed. Following previously established protocols, I took two measurements (buccolingual width and mesiodistal length) to study the odontometrics of Oreopithecus and to perform statistical comparisons of molar dimensions among specimens from different sites. I compared the measurements of Oreopithecus with available data for extinct and extant catarrhines. Oreopithecus shares dental traits, such as small incisors relative to cheek teeth and small M 1 /M 2 length and width ratios, with other Miocene apes. It also possesses more primitive features, such as longer than broad lower molars than other Miocene hominoids. Similar to previous analyses based on smaller samples, the statistical analyses reported here show no significant differences in molar length or width among the specimens from different localities. The odontometrics of O. bambolii characterize its unique dentition and lays the groundwork for further research on the odontology of this primate.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
