discovered fascinating clues about the evolution of human by analyzing the teeth of the extinct "monkey lemur". This is based on the results of a new study by the University of Otago in New Zealand. The study's lead author Dr. Ian Towle said, "The surprisingly large lemur ", Archaeolemur, has new anatomical features that existing lemurs do not have, such as not a "tooth comb" for combing hair in the front of the mouth.
Towle conducts research in the Department of Dental at the Sir John Walsh Institute at the University of Otago .
"These extinct lemurs are so different from those living today. They also show fascinating similarities with monkeys and apes, including humans," he said.
This study, published December 8 in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, aims to evaluate Archaeolemur's diet by analyzing gaps in 447 teeth and compare gap frequency with gap frequency in other primates.
Dr. Ian Thor Image Source/University of Otago
Results are surprising - these particularly extinct lemurs have similar teeth shapes to baboons; but present a similar pattern of tooth fractures as Neanderthal , etc.
"The teeth fracture patterns of ancient lemurs are different from any living primate, with their front teeth showing a large number of fractures, often with many fractures in one tooth, but their back teeth rarely fracture. Similar patterns of fractures are observed in human fossils such as Neanderthals. Typically, in Neanderthals, these fracture patterns are thought to be related to tool use behaviors," said Dr. Towle.
These results are consistent with previous studies of Archaeolemur, especially with evidence that their large and strong front teeth may be used to deal with diets containing hard foods.
Dr.Towle believes that this study raises a "charming possibility" that stone tools do not necessarily explain the high rate of fracture on Neanderthal teeth.
"Archaeolemur shows similar patterns of tooth breakage, yet there is no evidence that they have the ability or use this tool. Studying extinct primates can not only provide vital insight into their diet and behavior, but also elucidate our own evolutionary history."
Given the overlap of skull and teeth shapes, as well as the potential similarity of diet and behavior, it is perhaps not surprising that monkey lemur was considered an ape when Archaeolemur was first discovered in Madagascar more than 100 years ago.
"Archaeolemur is an outstanding example of convergent evolution , showing significant similarity to monkeys and apes. This species also highlights the degree of diversity of lemurs in various ecological environments" in Madagascar.
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