Dental use wear in extinct lemurs: evidence of diet and niche differentiation

Journal of Human Evolution
Laurie R GodfreyN Solounias

Abstract

A new technique for molar use-wear analysis is applied to samples of all 16 species of extinct lemurs with known dentitions, as well as to a large comparative sample of extant primates. This technique, which relies on the light refractive properties of wear pits and scratches as seen under a standard stereoscopic microscope, has shown itself to be effective in distinguishing the diets of ungulates and extant primates. We draw dietary inferences for each of the 16 extinct lemur species in our database. There is a strong phylogenetic signal, with the Palaeopropithecidae showing use-wear signatures similar to those of the Indriidae; extinct lemurids (Pachylemur spp.) showing striking similarities to extant lemurids (except Hapalemur spp.); and Megaladapis showing similarities to Lepilemur spp. Only the Archaeolemuridae have dietary signatures unlike those of any extant lemurs, with the partial exception of Daubentonia. We conclude that the Archaeolemuridae were hard-object feeders; the Palaeopropithecidae were seed predators, consuming a mixed diet of foliage and fruit to varying degrees; Pachylemur was a fruit-dominated mixed feeder, but not a seed predator; and all Megaladapis were leaf browsers. There is no molar use wear evide...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 7, 2005·Journal of Human Evolution·Christopher J Vinyard, Jandy Hanna
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·David A Burney, Timothy F Flannery
Jul 30, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T M RyanG W Weber
Apr 29, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Elizabeth R DumontLaurie R Godfrey
May 26, 2012·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Brooke E CrowleyNathaniel J Dominy
Sep 15, 2007·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·Laurie R Godfrey, Mitchell T Irwin
Jan 27, 2011·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·Magdalena N MuchlinskiLydia Tongasoa
Mar 24, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·K Praveen KaranthAnne D Yoder
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Sep 1, 2004·Journal of Human Evolution·Gina M SemprebonWilliam L Jungers
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Jan 14, 2018·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Jonathan M G Perry
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Dec 15, 2020·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Fabio AlfieriEli Amson
Jan 22, 2021·Scientific Data·Erick J LundgrenJens-Christian Svenning
Jun 25, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Stephanie MarciniakGeorge H Perry

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