title: Brief communication: Subvertical grooves on interproximal wear facets from the El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain) Neandertal dental sample.
abstract: The distribution of subvertical grooves on interproximal wear dental facets from the El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain) Neandertals is described and analyzed. Out of 93 teeth, 64.5% present subvertical grooves, including a high frequency (50%) on the anterior dentition. Contrary to some studies, subvertical grooves from adjacent facets perfectly overlap each other and do not interdigitate, probably forming small channels. Both the facet and the groove surface share the same polished appearance, suggesting a common origin. Statistical analyses reveal that the number of grooves is neither dependent on the degree of occlusal wear, nor on the position on the tooth or the individual's age. However, facet width is an important factor determining the number of subvertical grooves. The etiology of subvertical grooves formation on Neandertal teeth remains unclear.
authors.affiliation: PaleoAnthropology Group, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain. aestalrrich@mncn.csic.es
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estalrrich
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosas
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García-Vargas
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Tabernero
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santamaría
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Rasilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005580:Fossils; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010161:Paleodontology; D013030:Spain; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000473:pathology*; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000473:pathology*