bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae
Authors: Stoney David A.
Published: February 2006

The distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae on the distal portion of male human thumbprints has been characterized. For each of 412 thumbprints, a centrally locatedfocal minutiawas chosen and neighboring minutiae were sampled. Minutiae were considered to be neighbors if there were no other minutiae appearing in the intervening region defined by the two minutia events and the ridge system. For each neighbor minutia, thetotal ridge distancebetween the focal and neighbor minutiae was measured. This distance is the total length of ridges appearing in the intervening region.

The number of neighbor minutiae occurring about the focal minutia was found to be normally distributed with a mean of 6.42 (n = 412). The distribution of total ridge distances was not adequately described by the negative exponential distribution, but was well described by a gamma distribution with a shape parameter of 0.193 and a scale parameter of 5.91 mm. This gamma distribution reflects a local overdispersion of minutiae.

This study is noteworthy as the first to describe the distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae within the ridge structure. The results support prior work based on quadrat sampling and eliminate two possible sources of error.

A possible explanation for the overdispersed distribution lies in the growth stress model for minutia formation. Minutia formation may alleviate local growth stress, thereby removing the impetus for formation of additional minutiae in the immediately surrounding region.
Migration models of prehistoric postmarital residence
Authors: Konigsberg Lyle W.
Published: February 2006

It has previously been suggested that residential practices can be inferred from within‐ or between‐group analysis of male and female skeletal morphology. Arguments have proceeded from intuitively derived hypotheses about the genetic consequences of drift and migration. In this paper, a formal basis is presented for these hypotheses using modified versions of Wright's island model and the migration matrix method. It is shown that the usual measures of standardized genetic variance or genetic kinship can be decomposed into male, female, and male/female components. The male and female components can in turn be used separately to assess the effect of different residential practices on the population genetic structure of the two sexes. Following upon these models, nonmetric cranial trait data from prehistoric sites in west‐central Illinois are used to delineate the probable residential practices for this region.
Social networks of disease spread in the lower illinois valley: A simulation approach
Authors: McGrath Janet W.
Published: February 2006

This study illustrates the use of disease modeling and simulation techniques to the study of the spread of disease within and between social networks. A Reed‐Frost type model of disease spread is used to construct a simulation of the spread of tuberculosis within three prehistoric populations of the Lower Illinois River Valley during Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, and Mississippian times. A high and low population size was modeled for each time period. Late Woodland model 2 (low population estimate) is the only model that experienced pathogen extinction with host survival. The rest of the models experienced rapid and severe host population decline. The results of the simulation suggest that a social network size of between 180 and 440 persons is required under the conditions of this model for host‐pathogen coexistence (i.e., endemicity) to occur. The severe population decline experienced by these populations suggests that tuberculosis as modeled here could not have existed in these populations. Future refinements of modeling and simulation techniques can provide additional insights into how disease spreads among social contacts.
Carnivore alteration of human bone from a late prehistoric site in illinois
Authors: Milner George R. , Smith Virginia G.
Published: February 2006

The nature and pattern of destruction of human bone by scavenging animals, probably canids, is described for 30 Oneota skeletons from a west‐central Illinois cemetery dated at ca. A.D. 1300. The most frequently damaged parts of the skeleton include bones covered by relatively little soft tissue, such as the major joints of the limbs, and those in the facial, abdominal, and gluteal regions.
Variability in body physique, ecology, and subsistence in the Fly River region of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Hyndman David C. , Ulijaszek Stanley J. , Lourie John A.
Published: February 2006

There are some 40,000 indigenous peoples of the Fly River drainage in Papua New Guinea. The 4,000‐mm rainfall contour ecologically demarcates hunter‐horticulturalist peoples living in the rainforests of the Upper Fly from hunter‐gatherer peoples living in the savanna‐swamplands of the Middle and Lower Fly. A complex of factors operate to create significant physical differences between Upper Fly peoples and those of the Middle and Lower Fly. The ecological division between rainforests and savanna‐swamplands demarcates a clear clinal separation by stature of Upper Fly peoples from those of the Middle and Lower Fly.
Tooth wear in Australian Aboriginal populations from the river Murray valley
Authors: Molnar Stephen , Richards Lindsay , McKee Jeffrey , Molnar Iva
Published: February 2006

The study of tooth wear among prehistoric and recent populations has frequently been concerned with the rate and pattern of wear over the dental arches. In this report we considered the question of tooth wear variation among collections of Australian Aboriginal crania recovered from several sites along the Murray River in Southeastern Australia. These crania represent the remains of relatively recent populations from about 2,000 years ago until the early 19th century. The degree of tooth wear for each dental arch was recorded by an established method of determining the ratio of exposed dentin. The pattern or distribution of wear over each arch was summarized by principal component analysis. The mean wear degree and pattern were compared among four geographical grouping of crania separated by up to 700 miles of river frontage.

Our results showed, as expected, a significant difference between the well‐defined population at the Lower Murray site (Swanport) and the three upriver groups. However, there were significant differences among these three collections as well. Sexual dimorphism was noted but was only significant in the Lower Murray group; the mean wear was greater and also more variable among the males. At the second of the Middle Murray sites the pattern of wear was different and the degree of wear was significantly less than in the other groups. A possible explanation for this diversity may be environmental and subsistence base differences. The evidence from the Lower Murray supports this possibility, but the differences among the other three groups are not as clearly established. However, our results do suggest that the Murray Black collection, from which these crania were obtained, may not be as homogeneous a group as previously believed.
The radiographic preauricular groove: Its non‐relationship to past parity
Authors: Spring David B. , Lovejoy C. Owen , Bender Gregory N. , Duerr Michael
Published: February 2006

Deep preauricular sulci were identified on abdominal radiographs in 29 of 190 (15%) adult females and in none of 110 adult males. To assess the value of the deep preauricular sulcus as an index of past pregnancy, we examined gravidity and parity records of 190 women, using standard films that included the sacroiliac region. Deep, radiographic preauricular grooves were identified in 4 of 41 (10%) nulliparous women and in 25 of 149 (17%) women with positive pregnancy histories. We also examined radiographs obtained before and after pregnancy in six primigravidas. No evidence of radiographic changes in the preauricular grooves was seen in any of the six women. We conclude that the presence of a deep, radiographic preauricular sulcus is not necessarily an indication of past pregnancy.
Familial aggregation of blood pressure and anthropometric variables in patrilocal households
Authors: Byard P. J. , Mukherjee B. N. , Bhattacharya S. K. , Russell J. M. , Rao D. C.
Published: February 2006

Fifty‐three households in a small Indian fishing community were surveyed for blood pressure, pulse rate, and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and three skinfolds). In addition to nuclear family relationships, correlations for extended family members and in‐laws living within a common household were estimated by maximum likelihood. Based on likelihood ratio tests, the hypothesis that correlations among genetically unrelated pairs from the same household are zero is rejected for systolic blood pressure. Among genetically related individuals, the degree of relationship does not affect the magnitude of the blood pressure correlations. For the anthropometric measurements, family resemblance is significant only for first‐degree relatives, except that the correlation for uncle‐child pairs is significant for subscapular skinfold, and brother‐in‐law‐sister‐in‐law pairs resemble each other for height and weight. The results suggest that common household environment is a significant determinant of blood pressure but not fatness in this population.
New hominid fossils from the Swartkrans formation (1979–1986 excavations): Craniodental specimens
Authors: Grine Frederick E.
Published: February 2006

Seventy‐two individually numbered hominid craniodental fossils from recent excavations at Swartkrans are described. All derive from in situ decalcified breccia and/or unconsolidated sediments. A total of 20 specimens, representing 13 to 16 individuals derive from Member 1 “Lower Bank,” two teeth derive from sediments along the Member 1–2 Interface, 38 fossils representing 19 to 24 individuals come from Member 2, and 12 teeth representing 9 to 11 individuals derive from Member 3. All but four of the specimens are attributable at the generic level; one specimen from Member 1 “Lower Bank” and five specimens from Member 2 are attributed to Homo, while the others represent Paranthropus. The proportional representation of Homo in the Swartkrans Formation is markedly higher in Member 2 (c. 33%) than in the Member 1 “Lower Bank” (c. 8%) and Member 1 “Hanging Remnant” (c. 5%) samples.
A probable case of prehistoric kidney stone disease from the northern cape province, South Africa
Authors: Morris Alan G. , Rodgers Allen L.
Published: February 2006

During the excavation of isolated graves along the north shore of the Orange River in the Cape Province of South Africa, a skeleton was uncovered that showed two large calcareous deposits near the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The individual was an adult female of about 55 years of age at the time of death. The calcified residue did not in any way resemble the external or internal anatomical form of a kidney, but X‐ray powder diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy identified the material as apatite (Ca10(PO4)6 · (OH)2), a common constituent of human urinary calculi. It is postulated that the bilateral calcification was the result of a chronic renal disorder. Although it is rarely possible to identify the cause of death from skeletal remains alone, the disorder as seen in this specimen would appear to have been very severe and may well have been the ultimate cause of death.
Australopithecine anterior pillars: Reassessment of the functional morphology and phylogenetic relevance
Authors: McKee Jeffrey K.
Published: February 2006

The australopithecine anterior pillars defined by Rak (The Australopithecine Face, New York: Academic Press, 1983) were re‐examined in the fossil hominids of southern Africa. The structure and extent of this buttressing pillar was found to be variable among Australopithecus africanus and A. robustus specimens. A reduced anterior pillar was observed in Homo habilis, and a morphological equivalent can be discerned in modern specimens of H. sapiens. The anterior pillars and associated features can be viewed as a response to the occlusal forces of the entire anterolateral dentition, with a special affinity to the canine but limited functional relationship to the “molarized” premolars. Furthermore, a functional assessment of the hominid masticatory biomechanics implies that the adaptations of A. africanus are well within our expectations of a viable ancestor to the genus Homo and are not irrevocably derived toward a “robust” type of adaptation.
Analysis of the Ft. Laurens, Ohio, skeletal sample
Authors: Sciulli Paul W. , Gramly Richard M.
Published: February 2006

This report describes the analysis of the Colonial Period (1779) skeletal sample (N = 21) from Ft. Laurens, Ohio. The determination of age, sex, and ancestry reveals a relatively young sample (x = 23.5 years) of males of northern European ancestry. Morphometric analysis shows little difference in cranial and postcranial size and shape measures between this sample and a modern sample of Euro‐Americans and previously described Colonial to Civil War samples. The analysis of skeletal pathologies indicates that the individuals in the Ft. Laurens sample were active and subject to at least moderate amounts of stress. Dental pathologies were frequent, with a caries incidence higher than would be expected for a Euro‐American Colonial period sample. Numerous traumatic pathologies, in the form of cut and hack marks, are present in this sample. These marks were expected, since historical records indicate a violent death and scalping for virtually all individuals lost at Ft. Laurens. The results of the various analyses are interpreted in light of available historical information. In most cases the results are consistent with historically based expectations.
Pattern matching of age‐at‐death distributions in paleodemographic analysis
Authors: Milner George R. , Humpf Dorothy A. , Harpending Henry C.
Published: February 2006

Model age‐at‐death distributions are generated from fertility and mortality rates derived from two present‐day, traditional human societies with widely differing cultural systems: the !Kung hunters‐and‐gatherers and Yanomamo horticulturalists. Visual examination of these models demonstrates that fertility has more of an effect than mortality on the overall configuration of the age‐at‐death distributions of stable populations. Comparisons with a late prehistoric Oneota skeletal sample from the American Midwest illustrate how reference age‐at‐death schedules can be used 1) to identify whether a given skeletal sample approximates an age‐at‐death distribution expected of an extant human population and 2) to provide a basis for developing further testable hypotheses about the demographic and cultural characteristics of past populations.
Male age, dominance, and mating success among rhesus macaques
Authors: McMillan Carol A.
Published: February 2006

Some previous primate studies have found a positive correlation between male dominance and mating success when data from subadult males were included in the analyses. The information in this paper suggests that an unconscious bias may have been introduced when data on subadult males were included because of the lower dominance rank of these animals. Data from a study of rhesus monkeys on Cayo Santiago showed that subadult males mated significantly less than adults. Because these monkeys are not fully mature, data on them should not be used in any test for correlation between adult male dominance and mating success.

The only significant correlation found for adult male mating success was an inverse one with relation to age. Based on behavioral data young, fully adult males have the best chance of fathering offspring regardless of their dominance rank.
Bone mass in Guamanian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism‐dementia
Authors: Garruto Ralph M. , Plato Chris C. , Yanagihara Richard , Fox Kathleen , Dutt James , Gajdusek D. Carleton , Tobin Jordan
Published: February 2006

Bone mass, as assessed by measurements of total subperiosteal diameter and medullary width of the second metacarpal bone on hand‐wrist radiographs, was evaluated for 31 Guamanian patients (15 males, 16 females) with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 67 patients (39 males, 28 females) with parkinsonism‐dementia (PD), and 66 (34 males, 32 females) nonaffected Guamanian controls. Comparisons between the two disease groups and between each disease group and the nonaffected controls were made taking into account the sex, age, and disability status of each participant. At all ages, ALS patients of both sexes had significantly lower percent cortical areas (PCA) than did nonaffected controls. The ALS males also had significantly lower PCA than PD males, although no significant differences were observed between female ALS and PD patients. The PD patients of either sex had a lower PCA when compared to controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. The observed differences in PCA were due solely to increased medullary width, suggesting that the diminished cortical bone thickness resulted from greater bone resorption rather than differential bone growth. Longitudinal studies support the cross‐sectional findings of accelerated bone loss among ALS patients. It is not possible to determine from the present data whether the observed differences in PCA of the second metacarpal of the ALS patients are due to atrophy of the first interosseous muscle, to a generalized resorption process inherently associated with the development and progression of ALS, or to factors not accounted for by the present analysis.
Phenotypic consequences of nonrandom migration in the Jirels of Nepal
Authors: Williams‐Blangero S.
Published: February 2006

The phenotypic structure of human populations is shaped by a number of factors such as population size and martial migration. This paper examines the impact of migration on the between‐village phenotypic differentiation of the Jirels, a tribal group of eastern Nepal. Data on stature and five cranial measurements for 526 individuals (males and females) are utilized to illustrate the patterns of phenotypic variation. A permutation method is used to generate the phenotypic consequences of random migration constrained to observed levels of movement. The results suggest that Jirel migration is nonrandom and that it produces higher levels of phenotypic differentiation than would result from a random migration process.
Dental pathologies in ten free‐ranging chimpanzees from Gombe National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Kilgore Lynn
Published: February 2006

The dental remains of ten adult chimpanzees from Gombe National Park, Tanzania, were examined for enamel attrition, caries, abscesses, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. Age was the underlying factor in the development of dental pathology, in that enamel wear was present to some extent in all ten but was uniformly severe only in the three for whom estimated age at death was 39–43 years. In turn, enamel wear appears to have been the direct cause of abscess development, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. Periodontal disease was commonly expressed as alveolar resorption, particularly around the premolars and molars. This involvement was variable in all except the two youngest. Some interesting wear patterns were evident in the form of deep grooves in the upper incisors and dramatic notching of the lower canines. These patterns, and enamel attrition in general, were attributed to normal mastication and to various stripping activities. Only one carious lesion was observed, in a male with an estimated age of 26 years. An accurate assessment of the actual prevalence of caries was obscured by enamel wear and tooth loss in the older individuals.
Trauma, degenerative disease, and other pathologies among the gombe chimpanzees
Authors: Jurmain Robert
Published: February 2006

The well‐known and extremely well‐documented chimpanzees from Gombe National Park were analyzed for presence of skeletal pathologies. Of the 15 animals available for study, 11 were old and complete enough to permit systematic analysis. Of these, 10 showed some evidence of skeletal pathological involvement. The most common type of lesion seen resulted from trauma. Those chimps with the most fractures (Old Female, 3; Flo, 4; Hugo, 8) are consistently the oldest individuals in the sample. In addition to accidental falls, the most common cause of trauma was from interpersonal violence, resulting in bite wounds (see in two individuals) and fractures (see in three individuals). Conversely to trauma, degenerative disease was exceedingly rare in this population, found in no large intervertebral joints (N = 344) and only two major synovial joints (N = 186). In fact, the complete lack of osteophytosis, even in older individuals, stands in stark contrast to the situation seen in modern humans, perhaps in our species reflecting a biomechanical cost of bipedality.
Severe neural tube defect syndrome from the early archaic of Florida
Authors: Dickel D. N. , Doran G. H.
Published: February 2006

The Early Archaic Windover site is on the east coast of mid‐peninsular Florida. A subadult skeleton (about 15 years old at time of death) was recovered with multiple pathologies related to spina bifida aperta of the neural arch at the L3‐S2 level of the spine. Other evidence indicates s. b. cystica, although the degree of severity of the dysraphic neural tube syndrome cannot be directly determined. In addition to spina bifida, the lumbar region is scoliotic from malformation of zygapophyses. The defect is accompanied by severe infection of the right tibia and fibula, and disuse atrophy of long bones. It is hypothesized the NTD (neural tube defect) led to progressive sensory deprivation, which in turn led to increased loss of mobility, ulceration, and risk of serious infections. Other “minor” anomalies such as cone‐shaped epiphyses, enlarged nutrient foramina, and vental vertebral cavitation are also discussed. The chronic nature of these defects provide insight on the high level of long‐term care and attention provided a severely handicapped individual 7,500 years ago.
Ape‐like endocast of “ape‐man” Taung
Authors: Falk Dean
Published: February 2006

I have identified and illustrated a spherical “dimple” or “depression” on the Taung endocast as indicating the most likely position of the medial end of the lunate sulcus but have not drawn an actual lunate sulcus on Taung because one is not visible. In a recent paper, R.L. Holloway (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 77:27–33, 1988) drew a lunate sulcus on his copy of the Taung endocast, incorrectly attributed this sulcus to me, and used it to obtain a ratio of 0.254 to describe “Falk's” position of the lunate sulcus. My published ratio of 0.242 for Taung (Falk: Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 67:313–315, 1985a) was not considered, although the focus of Holloway's paper was my assessment of the position of the lunate sulcus. Holloway also excluded published ratios for a chimpanzee in my collection from his statistical analysis but, even so, my published ratio for Taung is still only 1.5 standard deviations from his chimpanzee mean. If my chimpanzee brain is included in the sample, the ratio for Taung is 1.2 standard deviations from the mean. Furthermore, one of Holloway's own chimpanzees (B60–7) has a ratio of 0.241, just 0.001 below my ratio for Taung. There is no sulcus where Holloway has drawn one on Taung, his “F(LS)” is not mine, his 2 mm error is not mine, and the correct ratio for my measurement of Tuang is the one that I published, not the one that Holloway attributes to me. Assessment of Holloway's chimpanzee data supports my claim that the dimple on the Taung endocast is within the chimpanzee range for the medial end of the lunate sulcus.
Nutritional determinants of high‐altitude growth in nuñoa, Peru
Authors: Leonard William R.
Published: February 2006

Data on nutritional intake and patterns of physical growth in the rural Andean community of Nuñoa, Peru (elevation 4,000 m), are described and compared to data previously collected from this location. Food consumption data and selected anthropometric measures were obtained from a sample of 33 households. Estimates of caloric intake from this study are very similar to those obtained in Nuñoa during the mid‐ and late 1960s. However, within the present sample, upper income (i.e., middle class) individuals have significantly higher caloric intakes than those of the lower income group and also appear to have an improved diet relative to individuals of 20 years ago. Anthropometric data show that children of the upper socioeconomic status (SES) group are significantly taller and heavier than the lower SES group children. Moreover, the children of the wealthier families are taller and heavier than the children measured 20 years ago at the same location, whereas the poorer children are not. These results indicate that nutritional factors have significantly contributed to the extreme pattern of slow growth previously reported for children of Nuñoa and, moreover, demonstrate how social and environmental forces interact to create differential levels of stress that contribute to variation in biological well‐being.
Relationships between the size and spatial morphology of human masseter and medial pterygoid muscles, the craniofacial skeleton, and jaw biomechanics
Authors: Hannam A. G. , Wood W. W.
Published: February 2006

The relationship between human craniofacial morphology and the biomechanical efficiency of bite force generation in widely varying muscular and skeletal types is unknown. To address this problem, we selected 22 subjects with different facial morphologies and used magnetic resonance imaging, cephalometric radiography, and data from dental casts to reconstruct their craniofacial tissues in three dimensions. Conventional cephalometric analyses were carried out, and the cross‐sectional sizes of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles were measured from reconstituted sections. The potential abilities of the muscles to generate bite forces at the molar teeth and mandibular condyles were calculated according to static equilibrium theory using muscle, first molar, and condylar moment arms. On average, the masseter muscle was about 66% larger in cross section than the medial pterygoid and was inclined more anteriorly relative to the functional occlusal plane. There was a significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between the cross‐sectional areas of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles (r = 0.75) and between the bizygomatic arch width and masseter cross‐sectional area (r = 0.56) and medial pterygoid cross‐sectional area (r = 0.69). The masseter muscle was always a more efficient producer of vertically oriented bite force than the medial pterygoid. Putative bite force from the medial pterygoid muscle alone correlated positively with mandibular length and inversely with upper face height. When muscle and tooth moment arms were considered together, a system efficient at producing force on the first molar was statistically associated with a face having a large intergonial width, small intercondylar width, narrow dental arch, forward maxilla, and forward mandible. There was no significant correlation between muscle cross‐sectional areas and their respective putative bite forces. This suggests that there is no simple relationship between the tension‐generating capacity of the muscles and their mechanical efficiency as described by their spatial arrangement. The study shows that in a modern human population so many combinations of biomechanically relevant variables are possible that subjects cannot easily be placed into ideal or nonideal categories for producing molar force. Our findings also confirm the impression that similar bite‐force efficiencies can be found in subjects with disparate facial features.
Hamann‐Todd collection aging studies: Osteoporosis fracture syndrome
Authors: Mensforth Robert P. , Latimer Bruce M.
Published: February 2006

The study presents a retrospective analysis of distal radius, proximal femur, vertebral, and sacral fractures that occurred in 938 Hamann‐Todd Collection skeletons. Individuals included in the investigation were retrieved from dissecting room cadavers in Cleveland, Ohio, between the years 1910 and 1940. Demographic analysis showed that the mean ages at death for blacks and whites included in the study were 41.9 and 53.8 years, respectively. Evaluations of fracture repair status were made for all fractures that were identified. Observations that document side of involvement and unilateral/bilateral distribution were made for distal radius and hip fractures. It was found that the age‐, sex‐, and race‐related fracture patterns which characterize the early 20th century Hamann‐Todd sample strongly correspond in distribution and magnitude to those seen in modern American and European urban industrial communities. The distal radius, hip, vertebral, and sacral fractures which were identified in individuals over 60 years of age appear to be a primary result of skeletal fragility due to age progressive bone loss. However, it is suggested that the early onset and high frequency of distal radius fractures seen in climacteric Caucasian women may be more directly due to accidental falls initiated by a greater frequency, intensity, and duration of vasomotor disturbances which are known to accompanay estrogen withdrawal in perimenopausal white females.
Cranial metric and discrete trait variation and biological differentiation in the terminal Late Archaic of Ohio: The Duff site cemetery
Authors: Sciulli Paul W.
Published: February 2006

Cranial metric and discrete traits were collected from adult individuals of the terminal Late Archaic Duff site cemetery (33 LO 111). Comparisons of cranial metric traits among eight terminal Late Archaic samples including the Duff site sample showed that all samples shared the same generalized variance and by inference the same pattern of shape variation. Some significant size differences were found but these were interpreted as reflecting only minor differences in the underlying polygenic system or differences in environmental interactions. The overall similarity in cranial metrics among the terminal Late Archaic samples strongly suggests that they represent populations that, at least, shared a recent common ancestor. Analysis of discrete trait variation in all the terminal Late Archaic samples showed that the biological distances between samples are associated significantly with the between‐sample geographical distances. This association accounts for approximately 25% of the variation in discrete trait frequencies. These results along with the results of the analysis of cranial metrics indicate that all of the terminal Late Archaic samples considered here are related, but geographically nearer samples are more closely related than distant ones.
Statistical assessment of population variability: A methodological approach
Authors: Key Patrick J. , Jantz Richard L.
Published: February 2006

We have implemented a multivariate statistical methodology to assess the degree and pattern of cranial variability in skeletal samples. Specifically, the method is designed to test whether variability in a skeletal sample exceeds “normal within‐group variability” defined in the present instance as variability present among crania from a cemetery associated with a village. It involves comparing a covariance matrix derived from a sample of unknown composition to one representing “normal within‐group variability.” The method has been applied to two Plains Indian craniometric samples. The Leavenworth site (39C09) represents the remnants of previously autonomous Arikara Indian villages devastated by epidemic diseases in the late 1700s. The Bad River 2 Phase is an archaeological designation grouping together closely related sites in the Bad‐Cheyenne region of South Dakota dating from 1740–1795 AD. We were able to show substantial heterogeneity among crania from Leavenworth. District burial areas at Leavenworth account for some of the heterogeneity, supporting the notion that they represent an attempt to maintain former social distinctions. We were unable to differentiate among sites within the Bad River 2 Phase, suggesting that it is a valid biological unit.
Population structure of the Jirels: Patterns of mate choice
Authors: Williams‐Blangero S.
Published: February 2006

The influence of mating practices on genetic structure has been an area of great interest for anthropologists. In this paper, the techniques of potential mates analysis are employed to explore the mating patterns observed among the Jirels, a tribal population of eastern Nepal. Genealogical, anthropometric, dermatoglyphic, and demographic data for members of seven Jirel villages are used.

Potential mate pools for a sample of 268 females are enumerated by village. Age structure and the Jirel restriction against clan endogamy are found to severely limit the number of males who are potential mates for a given female. The mating structure of the population is illuminated by statistical analysis of the characteristics of 160 actual mate pairs and all corresponding potential mate pairs. Using this approach several general mate choice practices were verified: (1) biological kin tend to be avoided as mates, (2) members of the same clan are excluded as potential mates, (3) mate exchange between clans is nonrandom, (4) individuals similar in age tend to be selected as mates, and (5) mates are drawn from the natal village more often than random expectation. A multivariate phenotypic distance measure between individuals did not reveal any evidence for assortative mating for either anthropometric or dermatoglyphic characters.
Anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc of the human pubis
Authors: Budinoff Linda C. , Tague Robert G.
Published: February 2006

The ventral arc of the pubis is frequently used for sexing adult human hip bones. This study addresses the issues of the anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc. Dissection of seven adult pelves (four females and three males) demonstrates that the sexes are identical in the muscular and ligamentous attachments to this ridge of bone. The tendons of gracilis and adductor brevis, which are fused for a variable extent, arise from the ridge of bone, and the fibers of the ventral pubic ligament attach to its medial border. Lateral placement of the ventral arc is defined in terms of the minimum distance between the ridge of bone and the inferior border of the symphyseal face of the pubis. The hypothesis that lateral placement of the ventral arc is positively correlated with pubic length was tested using two random samples of adult female hip bones (N = 50 for both whites and blacks) from the Hamann‐Todd collection. The correlation between these variables is significant. The results support the argument that lateral placement of the ventral arc is related to the amount of postadolescent growth occurring at the symphyseal border of the pubis. Therefore, the ventral arc should not be considered as an independent criterion from pubic length in sexing adult hip bones.
Paleodemography of the Carlston Annis (Bt‐5) Late Archaic skeletal population
Authors: Mensforth Robert P.
Published: February 2006

The study presents a demographic assessment of the Carlston Annis (Bt‐5) Late Archaic hunting and gathering population recovered from the banks of the Green River in west‐central Kentucky. The shell midden habitation and cemetery site originally yielded the remains of 390 individuals. Radiocarbon dates place site occupation between 3,000 and 4,500 y.b.p. The skeletal sample consisted of 354 individuals ranging in age from 7 months in utero to 70+ years. Subadults were aged by seriation of dental and skeletal developmental criteria. Adult ages were determined by the multifactorial summary age method that employed (1) five indicators of adult skeletal age at death, (2) the procedure of age indicator seriation, and (3) differential weighting of age assessments as determined by principal components analysis. Adult sex diagnoses were based on qualitative assessment of pelvic and cranial morphological criteria. The Bt‐5 life table analysis yields an E0 of 22.4 years, crude birth of 45, mean family size of 3.3, gross reproductive rate of 2.7, generation length of 26.6 years, and B of .076, indicating a healthy population with a substantial capability to replace succeeding generations. Survivorship profiles and demographic parameters that compare the Carlston Annis (Bt‐5) and Indian Knoll (Oh‐2) skeletal series are presented. Both populations display type II survivorship curves, with high infant mortality and early onset of elevated mortality rates in adults. Major differences between Bt‐5 and Oh‐2 demographic parameters concern adult sex ratio and adult age distribution over 30 years. These differences are interpreted to reflect census errors in the Oh‐2 demographic reconstruction that were possibly introduced by selective methodological biases and/or taphonomic factors.
Genetic studies among the Nagas and Hmars of eastern India
Authors: Saha N. , Tay J. S. H.
Published: February 2006

A total of 148 Nagas (65 urban and 83 rural) and 81 Hmars from northeastern India were tested for 15 blood genetic markers. Both the Nagas and Hmars lacked haemoglobin variants and G6PD deficiency and had a high frequency of PGDC. This may be attributed to selective pressures operating at these loci. Genetic distance estimates using 41 alleles at 11 polymorphic loci showed appreciable heterogeneity between the urban and rural Nagas that were in line with the differences in gene frequencies. Considerable genetic admixture of the urban Nagas from the Hmar and other neighbouring populations is evident. The Nagas were found to be quite distant from the mainland Han Chinese and Malays as well as from the Bengalis and Oraons. However, they appear to be related to the Hmar and Lepcha. Evidence supporting the ethnohistoric origin of the Nagas from China or the South Seas is lacking.
Hallucal tarsometatarsal joint in Australopithecus afarensis
Authors: Latimer Bruce , Lovejoy C. Owen
Published: February 2006

Hallucal tarsometatarsal joints from African pongids, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that accompanied the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the articular orientation of the medial cuneiform, curvature of the distal articular surface of the medial cuneiform, and the articular configuration of the hallucal metatarsal proximal joint surface. Morphological characteristics of the hallucal tarsometatarsal joint unequivocally segregate quadrupedal pongids and bipedal hominids.
Archaeoparasitology in North America
Authors: Reinhard Karl J.
Published: February 2006

The study of prehistoric parasitism through analysis of coprolites, mummies, skeletons, and latrine soils is rapidly growing. Its development in North America is interdisciplinary and is derived from the fields of physical anthropology, parasitology, and archaeology. The various parasite finds from North America are reviewed. The data show that prehistoric peoples in North America suffered from a variety of parasitic diseases. The validity of the findings are then considered. Although most finds of parasites from prehistoric contexts result from human infections, some finds cannot be verified as such. However, in combination with data from South America, it is clear that prehistoric peoples in the Americas were host to a variety of human parasites, some of which were not previously thought to be present before historic times.
Dental agenesis in the Dariusleut Hutterite brethren: Comparisons to selected caucasoid population surveys
Authors: Mahaney Michael C. , Fujiwara T. Mary , Morgan Kenneth
Published: February 2006

We report the results of a study of the prevalence of nonsyndromic dental agenesis among a sample of 208 individuals (105 females, 103 males) between the ages of 15 and 29 years from a North American religious and genetic isolate, the Dariusleut Hutterites of Western Canada. Direct examination of dental casts, oral examination reports, dental treatment records, and a limited number of dental radiographs reveals congenital absence and/or obvious morphometric reduction of at least one tooth (excluding third molars) in 98 subjects (55 females, 43 males), yielding a prevalence estimate of approximately 47%. This estimate is nearly four times those reported for nonisolate Caucasoid populations of European descent and substantially higher than the elevated prevalences observed in several other isolated populations. Although the prevalence of dental agenesis in the Dariusleut is indeed high, neither the incidence of bilateral agenesis (exhibited at least once in 58% of affected dentitions), number of affected teeth per person (mean, 2.4), morphologic tooth classes affected, or combinations of tooth classes affected ostensibly distinguish them from other populations with similar geographic origins. We conclude that the dental agenesis observed in this North American genetic isolate does not represent a private polymorphism or rare developmental variant. Consequently, the results of further study in these Dariusleut Brethren will be directly relevant to critically testing as yet unresolved hypotheses for the mode of gene action and the relative contributions of hereditary and environmental factors to the reduction of tooth numbers in human dentitions.
Functional assessment of subfamily variation in maxillomandibular morphology among old World monkeys
Authors: Ravosa Matthew J.
Published: February 2006

Among Old World monkeys, subfamily variation in maxillomandibular form is commonly attributed to divergent dietary and social behaviors. However, our knowledge of any musculoskeletal adaptations for gape in cercopithecines, and folivory in colobines, is incomplete. Such data are requisite to a more informed perspective on the evolutionary morphology of these taxa.

Structural analyses of gape and biomechanical efficiency were applied to a representative sample of adult cercopithecids. Factors pertaining to the biomechanical scaling of cranial structures were evaluated with least‐squares bivariate regression techniques. To assess subfamily differences in masticatory efficiency, analyses of covariance were made between relevant factors.

Cercopithecines achieve increased gape and relative canine size mainly with strong positive allometry of the facial skull, combined with a larger gonial angle. Colobines possess a relatively long masseter lever arm and short facial skull, as well as an enlargened masseter‐medial pterygoid complex. Subfamily differences in temporalis lever arm scaling are negligible.

Biomechanical comparisons within and between subfamilies suggest that the mechanical advantage of the temporalis is relatively greater than that of the masseter, while the mechanical advantage of both muscles increases with face length. Evidence is presented to stress the need for adequate consideration of the dependent variable in allometric investigations of skull form.
Occlusal variation in Australian Aboriginals
Authors: Corruccini Robert S. , Townsend Grant C. , Brown Tasman
Published: February 2006

Variation of dental occlusion around established norms has frequently been related to industrialized or modernized life habits. This tendency has been tested among samples (n = 48) of older (originally nomadic) and younger (settled and rationed) Australian Aboriginals. Although significant differences are found in incisor relation traits, tooth malalignment, and relative arch breadth, these are slight compared to some other studies of peoples undergoing one‐generation dietary westernization. Reasons for this might relate to concomitantly subtle differences in diet or masticatory habits, genetic buffering, attrition gradient, tooth size, biased sampling according to tooth retention, of fluoride in water supplies.
Shape components of the maxillary molars in Australian Aboriginals
Authors: Yamada H. , Brown T.
Published: February 2006

Principal components analysis was used to quantify the variability in crown outlines of maxillary molars in Australian Aboriginals. The outlines were measured by 36 radii from the central pit to the crown periphery. The first component, responsible for over half of the total variance, was concerned with general crown size. Four remaining components were retained to indicate sources of variability resulting from contrasting degrees of development or reduction of different crown components. Shape changes from the first to third molars were identified with components representing overall size reduction, diminution of the hypocone, and metacone elements and mesiodistal compression. An anteroposterior gradient along the molar series in average scores and variances for all components resulted from the progressive reduction of distal crown elements, increasing mesiodistal compression, and greater morphological variation.
Validation study of skull three‐dimensional computerized tomography measurements
Authors: Hildebolt Charles F. , Vannier Michael W. , Knapp Robert H.
Published: February 2006

Recent advances in imaging have led to high‐resolution computerized tomography (CT) scanning with exquisitely detailed slice images of the skull and three‐dimensional (3‐D) surface reconstructions using computer software. It is possible to use CT scans to acquire morphologic information about the skull in a convenient digital form and to derive 3‐D measurements from surface reconstruction images. Unfortunately, no effort has been made to date to test the validity of these measurements on laboratory specimens, and no compelling evidence is available from phantom studies to indicate the nature and magnitude of the errors inherent in the measurement technique. We have performed a pilot study to quantify the morphology of the skull based on surface features that can be found in CT scans and 3‐D reconstructions. Comparative measurements were obtained from five skulls (two normal and three with dysmorphology) with calipers and a 3‐D electromagnetic digitizer. These measurements were statistically compared with those based on original CT scan slices and reformatted 3‐D images. It is concluded that 3D‐CT measurements techniques are superior to those in which measurements are obtained directly from the original CT slices; 3‐D CT methods, however, must be significantly improved before measurements based on these techniques can be used in studies that require a high degree of precision. The results are used to indicate the most fruitful areas of future study.
Major features of Sundadonty and Sinodonty, including suggestions about East Asian microevolution, population history, and late Pleistocene relationships with Australian Aboriginals
Authors: Turner Christy G.
Published: February 2006

The eight diagnostic morphological traits of the Sundadont and Sinodont divisions of the Mongoloid dental complex are identified. Intra‐and intergroup variation for these crown and root features is plotted. The univariate frequency distributions provide useful evidence for several suggestions about East Asian prehistory, dental microevolution, and intergroup relationships. The case for local evolution of Sundadonty is strengthened by finding Australian teeth to be very similar to this pattern. Australian Aboriginal teeth are also generally like those of Jomonese and some Ainus, suggesting that members of the late Pleistocene Sundaland population could have initially colonized Sahulland as well as the continental shelf of East Asia northward to Hokkaido.