3-D interferometric microscopy applied to the study of buccal enamel microwear

摘要: Dental microwear analysis is based on the assumption that a correlation exists between ingested diet and patterns enamel surface of teeth, such can be reconstructed by quantifying microwear. Abrasive particles, as plant phytoliths or silica-based sands incorporated into food items, along with processing techniques tooth morphology, are responsible for features observed. has been extensively studied in both extant extinct primates, including human populations. The dietary ecological information derived from dental analyses makes it technique useful analyzing non-primate species, muskrats, sheep, bats, moles, antelopes, pigs even dinosaurs. In attempt to reconstruct species’ ecology diet, research become successful procedure. proliferation persistence different methods quantify require very accurate definitions variables, since inter-observer error rates cannot neglected. use semiautomatic does not guarantee low affecting results. Error caused taphonomy, microscopy drawbacks back-scattered electrons, differences SEM reproducibility depending sample shape orientation. However, fully automatic procedures lack discrimination ante-mortem post-mortem wear processes affect at various degrees, their application requires experienced control evaluation.