Perikymata distribution on anterior teeth of Miocene Lufengpithecus lufengensis from Yunnan, Southern China.
The present study investigated the distribution of perikymata on anterior teeth of Miocene Lufengpithecus lufengensis so as to broaden the comparative data of developmental variation within and among hominoids. We also compared perikymata-spacing pattern of Lufengpithecus lufengensis with hominins and extant African great apes to understand the implication of dental development.



A total of 30 anterior teeth (including 6 I1, 10 I2, and 14 C) of Lufengpithecus lufengensis were examined using a scanning electron microscope and Keyence VHX-600EOS digital microscope to document the number and distribution of perikymata on their labial surfaces. The labial crown height of each tooth was divided into 10 equal deciles and the total perikymata number in each decile was recorded. The mean number of perikymata per millimeter was then calculated for each decile. SPSS statistical software was used to perform analyses of these data, including t-tests for sexual dimorphism and plots showing the perikymata distribution in Lufengpithecus lufengensis.



Perikymata counts of Lufengpithecus lufengensis in the first three deciles are fewer than the remaining deciles, and with perikymata becoming increasingly more closely packed as growth progresses from cusp to cervix, but decrease in density in the cervical decile. Besides, total labial perikymata counts of canines tend to display very significant sexual dimorphism.



Lufengpithecus lufengensis anterior teeth are more similar in their distribution of labial perikymata to those of Australopithecus than those of other hominins and extant African great apes from previous studies.
Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100044, China.|University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
Cuibin
C
Wang
Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100044, China.
Lingxia
L
Zhao
D000818:Animals; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D002681:China; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005580:Fossils; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
Lufengpithecus lufengensis; enamel; perikymata