title: Microwear, mechanics and the feeding adaptations of Australopithecus africanus.
abstract: Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Strait
authors: Gerhard W
authors: GW
authors: Weber
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Constantino
authors: Peter W
authors: PW
authors: Lucas
authors: Brian G
authors: BG
authors: Richmond
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Spencer
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Dechow
authors: Callum F
authors: CF
authors: Ross
authors: Ian R
authors: IR
authors: Grosse
authors: Barth W
authors: BW
authors: Wright
authors: Bernard A
authors: BA
authors: Wood
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Wang
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Byron
authors: Dennis E
authors: DE
authors: Slice
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food; D005580:Fossils; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D057085:Tooth Wear / Q000503:physiopathology*