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Dental morphology in Homo habilis and its implications for the evolution of early Homo

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas W. Davies

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    University of Kent)

  • Philipp Gunz

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology)

  • Fred Spoor

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    Natural History Museum)

  • Zeresenay Alemseged

    (University of Chicago)

  • Agness Gidna

    (Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority)

  • Jean-Jacques Hublin

    (Collège de France
    Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology)

  • William H. Kimbel

    (Arizona State University)

  • Ottmar Kullmer

    (Goethe University
    Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt)

  • William P. Plummer

    (University of Kent)

  • Clément Zanolli

    (Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199)

  • Matthew M. Skinner

    (University of Kent
    Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    University of the Witwatersrand)

Abstract

The phylogenetic position of Homo habilis is central to debates over the origin and early evolution of the genus Homo. A large portion of the species hypodigm consists of dental remains, but they have only been studied at the often worn enamel surface. We investigate the morphology of the H. habilis enamel-dentine junction (EDJ), which is preserved in cases of moderate tooth wear and known to carry a strong taxonomic signal. Geometric morphometrics is used to characterise dentine crown shape and size across the entire mandibular and maxillary tooth rows, compared with a broad comparative sample (n = 712). We find that EDJ morphology in H. habilis is for the most part remarkably primitive, supporting the hypothesis that the H. habilis hypodigm has more in common with Australopithecus than later Homo. Additionally, the chronologically younger specimen OH 16 displays a suite of derived features; its inclusion in H. habilis leads to excessive levels of variation.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas W. Davies & Philipp Gunz & Fred Spoor & Zeresenay Alemseged & Agness Gidna & Jean-Jacques Hublin & William H. Kimbel & Ottmar Kullmer & William P. Plummer & Clément Zanolli & Matthew M. Skinner, 2024. "Dental morphology in Homo habilis and its implications for the evolution of early Homo," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44375-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44375-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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