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Mechanical evidence that Australopithecus sediba was limited in its ability to eat hard foods

Author

Listed:
  • Justin A. Ledogar

    (University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA
    School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England)

  • Amanda L. Smith

    (University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA
    Washington University in St. Louis)

  • Stefano Benazzi

    (University of Bologna
    Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology)

  • Gerhard W. Weber

    (University of Vienna)

  • Mark A. Spencer

    (South Mountain Community College)

  • Keely B. Carlson

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Kieran P. McNulty

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Paul C. Dechow

    (Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry)

  • Ian R. Grosse

    (University of Massachusetts)

  • Callum F. Ross

    (University of Chicago)

  • Brian G. Richmond

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    American Museum of Natural History)

  • Barth W. Wright

    (Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences)

  • Qian Wang

    (Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry)

  • Craig Byron

    (Mercer University)

  • Kristian J. Carlson

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand
    Indiana University)

  • Darryl J. de Ruiter

    (Texas A&M University
    Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Lee R. Berger

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Kelli Tamvada

    (University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA
    The Sage Colleges, 65 First Street)

  • Leslie C. Pryor

    (Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry)

  • Michael A. Berthaume

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    Max Planck Weizmann Center for Integrative Archaeology and Anthropology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology)

  • David S. Strait

    (University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA
    Washington University in St. Louis)

Abstract

Australopithecus sediba has been hypothesized to be a close relative of the genus Homo. Here we show that MH1, the type specimen of A. sediba, was not optimized to produce high molar bite force and appears to have been limited in its ability to consume foods that were mechanically challenging to eat. Dental microwear data have previously been interpreted as indicating that A. sediba consumed hard foods, so our findings illustrate that mechanical data are essential if one aims to reconstruct a relatively complete picture of feeding adaptations in extinct hominins. An implication of our study is that the key to understanding the origin of Homo lies in understanding how environmental changes disrupted gracile australopith niches. Resulting selection pressures led to changes in diet and dietary adaption that set the stage for the emergence of our genus.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin A. Ledogar & Amanda L. Smith & Stefano Benazzi & Gerhard W. Weber & Mark A. Spencer & Keely B. Carlson & Kieran P. McNulty & Paul C. Dechow & Ian R. Grosse & Callum F. Ross & Brian G. Richmond , 2016. "Mechanical evidence that Australopithecus sediba was limited in its ability to eat hard foods," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10596
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10596
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