Modularity of the anthropoid dentition: Implications for the evolution of the hominin canine honing complex.

摘要: In most anthropoid primates, the maxillary canine, mandibular and mesial premolar form a functional complex that hones canines. Characters in complexes are predicted to covary genetically, which constrains their evolutionary independence. As result of substantial changes canine honing size shape, hominins characterized by apomorphic loss honing. early hominins, 'honing' shape appear have been uncoordinated, is unexpected if there strong genetic covariation coupling these teeth. Using pattern magnitude phenotypic dental extant anthropoids, results this study indicate certain dimensions within species evolved coordinated manner both males females, undermines arguments selectively important only males. Further, no evidence for negative or positive covariance between either incisor postcanine size. If patterns reflect covariation, suggests reduction was unlikely dependent change associated with development megadontia reduction.