Abstract
Gorilla gorilla exemplifies a species that shows considerable variation in habitat, behaviour, genetic structure and morphology. This study examines variation of dental morphology in gorillas. Despite the marked size dimorphism, there are no significant shape differences between the sexes within subspecies. Differences in dental morphology, including tooth cusp proportions between the western G. g. gorilla and the eastern G. g. beringei are considerable. Although more similar to G. g. beringei than to the western G. g. gorilla, G. g. graueri also shows distinct morphological features. This indicates that the morphology of G. g. graueri is not merely intermediate, and genetic isolation between the two eastern subspecies could have had a substantial influence. Such extensive variation in dental morphology in Gorilla gorilla can be considered to be the result of an interesting combination of factors, including local dietary adaptations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 55-70 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Human Evolution |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 Jan |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Cusp areal proportions
- Gorilla
- Populations
- Tooth morphology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Variation in tooth morphology of Gorilla gorilla. / Uchida, Akiko.
In: Journal of Human Evolution, Vol. 34, No. 1, 01.1998, p. 55-70.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Variation in tooth morphology of Gorilla gorilla
AU - Uchida, Akiko
PY - 1998/1
Y1 - 1998/1
N2 - Gorilla gorilla exemplifies a species that shows considerable variation in habitat, behaviour, genetic structure and morphology. This study examines variation of dental morphology in gorillas. Despite the marked size dimorphism, there are no significant shape differences between the sexes within subspecies. Differences in dental morphology, including tooth cusp proportions between the western G. g. gorilla and the eastern G. g. beringei are considerable. Although more similar to G. g. beringei than to the western G. g. gorilla, G. g. graueri also shows distinct morphological features. This indicates that the morphology of G. g. graueri is not merely intermediate, and genetic isolation between the two eastern subspecies could have had a substantial influence. Such extensive variation in dental morphology in Gorilla gorilla can be considered to be the result of an interesting combination of factors, including local dietary adaptations.
AB - Gorilla gorilla exemplifies a species that shows considerable variation in habitat, behaviour, genetic structure and morphology. This study examines variation of dental morphology in gorillas. Despite the marked size dimorphism, there are no significant shape differences between the sexes within subspecies. Differences in dental morphology, including tooth cusp proportions between the western G. g. gorilla and the eastern G. g. beringei are considerable. Although more similar to G. g. beringei than to the western G. g. gorilla, G. g. graueri also shows distinct morphological features. This indicates that the morphology of G. g. graueri is not merely intermediate, and genetic isolation between the two eastern subspecies could have had a substantial influence. Such extensive variation in dental morphology in Gorilla gorilla can be considered to be the result of an interesting combination of factors, including local dietary adaptations.
KW - Cusp areal proportions
KW - Gorilla
KW - Populations
KW - Tooth morphology
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0031612899&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 34
SP - 55
EP - 70
JO - Journal of Human Evolution
JF - Journal of Human Evolution
SN - 0047-2484
IS - 1
ER -