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Perlman RF, Beehner JC, Koenig A, Lu A. Consumption of underground storage organs is associated with improved energetic status in a graminivorous primate. J Hum Evol 2024; 192:103545. [PMID: 38843698 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2024.103545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Early hominin species likely had access to open, grassy habitats where periodic reliance on underground storage organs (USOs) is hypothesized to have played a crucial dietary role. As the only living graminivorous primate today, geladas (Theropithecus gelada) provide a unique perspective for understanding the energetic consequences of seasonal consumption of USOs. Geladas rely heavily on above-ground grasses throughout the year, but when grass is seasonally less available, they feed more on USOs. To assess whether USOs fit the definition of fallback foods (i.e., foods that are difficult to access, less preferred, or both), we examined how foraging effort (measured via time spent feeding and moving) and energetic status (measured via urinary C-peptide) fluctuated during seasonal dietary changes in a population of wild geladas in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. If, indeed, USOs are fallback foods, we predicted an increase in foraging effort and a decline in energetic status during the dry season, when geladas rely more heavily on USOs. We collected behavioral and physiological data from 13 adult gelada males across a 13-month period. As expected, we found that male geladas spent more time moving during drier months. However, counter to the hypothesis that USOs are fallback foods in geladas, urinary C-peptide concentrations were significantly higher during the dry season. We suggest that USOs may represent an energy-rich food item for geladas, but it remains unclear why USOs are not consumed year-round. Future work is needed to better understand seasonal variation in the availability, nutrient content, and digestibility of USOs. However, results indicate that exploiting USOs seasonally could have been a valuable dietary strategy for the evolutionary success of early hominins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel F Perlman
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA; Program for Research Initiatives in Science & Math, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY 10019, USA.
| | - Jacinta C Beehner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043, USA; Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1107, USA
| | - Andreas Koenig
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA; Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA
| | - Amy Lu
- Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA; Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA.
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Fannin LD, Swedell L, McGraw WS. Enamel chipping and its ecological correlates in African papionins: Implications for hominin feeding behavior. J Hum Evol 2023; 177:103330. [PMID: 36898301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
African papionins are classic paleoecological referents for fossil hominins. Enamel chips on the teeth of baboons and hominins are argued to represent responses to similar dietary habits; however, a comprehensive analysis of modern papionin chipping is lacking, leaving open the question of analog suitability. Here, we investigate patterns of antemortem enamel chipping across a diverse set of African papionin species occupying a range of ecological niches. We compare papionin chipping frequencies to estimates for Plio-Pleistocene hominins to address hypotheses of habitat and/or dietary similarities. Antemortem chips in seven African papionin species were scored on intact postcanine teeth (P3-M3) using established protocols. Chip size was scored on a tripartite scale. Papio hamadryas and Papio ursinus-two common paleoecological referents-display higher levels of chipping than Plio-Pleistocene hominin taxa (Australopithecus and Paranthropus) posited to have similar dietary habits. Papio populations occupying dry or highly seasonal habitats accumulate more large chips than Papio taxa occupying more mesic habitats, and terrestrial papionins chip their teeth more often than closely related taxa occupying arboreal niches. Chipping is present on the teeth of all Plio-Pleistocene hominins; however, chipping in baboons (P. ursinus and P. hamadryas) consistently exceeds most hominin taxa. Chipping frequencies on their own do not reliably sort taxa into major dietary groupings. We conclude that the large differences in chipping frequency may instead reflect habitat use and food processing idiosyncrasies. Less chipping in Plio-Pleistocene hominin teeth compared to modern Papio is more likely attributable to differences in dental morphology rather than diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D Fannin
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA; Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
| | - Larissa Swedell
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA; Anthropology Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, 7700, South Africa
| | - W Scott McGraw
- Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Towle I, Constantino PJ, Borths MR, Loch C. Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 180:401-408. [PMID: 36790760 PMCID: PMC10107942 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Archaeolemur is a recently extinct genus of lemur that is often compared to some Cercopithecidae, especially baboons. This is due in part to their derived dentition, with large anterior teeth and reduced bilophodont molars. Research involving comparative morphology, analysis of coprolites, isotopes, and enamel structure, have suggested Archaeolemur had an omnivorous diet involving mechanically challenging items. Yet, microwear analysis of posterior teeth does not necessarily support this conclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this macroscopic study, dental chipping was recorded on permanent teeth of Archaeolemur from different localities (53 individuals; 447 permanent teeth; including both A. edwardsi and A. majori specimens). This study aimed to compare chipping patterns across the dentition of Archaeolemur with chipping in other primates. RESULTS The results show enamel chipping was prevalent on the anterior teeth of Archaeolemur (38.9% of anterior teeth showed at least one fracture) yet rare in posterior teeth (9%). There was a decrease in chipping frequency across the dentition, moving distally from incisors (50%; 20/40), through caniniform teeth (30%; 15/50), premolars (9.5%; 16/169), and molars (8.5%; 16/188). DISCUSSION The results support previous research suggesting Archaeolemur had a varied omnivorous diet in which the anterior dentition was used for extensive food processing. This likely included mechanically challenging items such as tough/hard large fruits, small vertebrates, and crustaceans. Such a high rate of chipping in the anterior dentition is uncommon in other primates, with exception of hominins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Towle
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paul J Constantino
- Department of Biology, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont, USA
| | - Matthew R Borths
- Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolina Loch
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Martin LF, Ackermans NL, Richter H, Kircher P, Hummel J, Codron D, Clauss M, Hatt J. Macrowear effects of external quartz abrasives of different size and concentration in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2022; 338:586-597. [PMID: 34813148 PMCID: PMC9787991 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
External quartz abrasives are one of the driving forces of macrowear in herbivorous animals. We tested to what extent different sizes and concentrations influence their effect on tooth wear. We fed seven pelleted diets varying only in quartz concentration (0%, 4%, and 8%) and size (fine silt: ∼4 μm, coarse silt: ∼50 μm, fine sand: ∼130 μm) to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus, n = 16) for 2 weeks each in a randomized serial experiment. Measurements to quantify wear and growth of incisors and the mandibular first cheek tooth, as well as heights of all other cheek teeth, were performed using calipers, endoscopic examination, and computed tomography scans before and after each feeding period. Tooth growth showed a compensatory correlation with wear. Absolute tooth height (ATH) and relative tooth height (RTH); relative to the 0% quartz "control" diet) was generally lower on the higher concentration and the larger size of abrasives. The effect was more pronounced on the maxillary teeth, on specific tooth positions and the right jaw side. When offered the choice between different sizes of abrasives, the rabbits favored the silt diets over the control and the fine sand diet; in a second choice experiment with different diets, they selected a pelleted diet with coarse-grained sand, however. This study confirms the dose- and size-dependent wear effects of external abrasives, and that hypselodont teeth show compensatory growth. The avoidance of wear did not seem a priority for animals with hypselodont teeth, since the rabbits did not avoid diets inducing a certain degree of wear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise F. Martin
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Nicole L. Ackermans
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland,Present address:
Nicole L. Ackermans, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Center for Anatomy and Functional MorphologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Henning Richter
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Patrick Kircher
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Divison of Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal SciencesUniversity of GoettingenGoettingenGermany
| | - Daryl Codron
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of the Free StateBloemfonteinSouth Africa
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jean‐Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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Fannin LD, Laugier EJ, van Casteren A, Greenwood S, Dominy NJ. Differentiating siliceous particulate matter in the diets of mammalian herbivores. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke D. Fannin
- Department of Anthropology Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
| | - Elise J. Laugier
- Department of Anthropology Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
| | - Adam van Casteren
- School of Biological Sciences University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Sabrina L. Greenwood
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences University of Vermont Burlington VT USA
| | - Nathaniel J. Dominy
- Department of Anthropology Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
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