Enamel and dentine development and the life history profile of Victoriapithecus macinnesi from Maboko Island, Kenya.
Two permanent lower second molar teeth (KNM-MB 19841 and KNM-MB 27844) attributed to Victoriapithecus macinnesi were prepared for histological analysis. A further five male and three female canine teeth were replicated with a silicone impression material and perikymata counts subsequently made on epoxy casts over the whole crown surface. Daily enamel cross striations averaged 6 microm apart in both cuspal and lateral enamel of the molars and the total crown formation times were approximately 1.24 years in the molars and, using the same periodicity determined from the molars, 1.84 and 1.36 years respectively in the male and female canines. Rates of dentine formation matched those known for extant macaques and were used to calculate root extension rates, which averaged 11.5 microm per day over the whole 8 mm root length of KNM-MB 19841. The period between M2 initiation and gingival emergence was estimated to be approximately 1.95 years in Victoriapithecus which is greater than estimates for Cebus albifrons and Chlorocebus aethiops, (which are similar in body mass to Victoriapithecus), but less than estimates made here for several macaque species. A speculative picture of dental development in Victoriapithecus emerges that is slower than that known for modern vervet monkeys and may have been more similar to that in some smaller modern macaque species.
Dean
M Christopher
MC
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK. chris.dean@ucl.ac.uk
Leakey
Meave G
MG
D000818:Animals; D002520:Cercopithecidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D007630:Kenya; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D013045:Species Specificity