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For decades paleoanthropologists have tried to use the unusual masticatory morphologyMorphology of Paranthropus to make inferences about its diet. One type of evidence that can be particularly informative in this regard is the damage to tooth enamelToothenamel resulting from feeding behaviors. Such damage can be examined at three scales—microwearMicrowear, macrowearMacrowear, and fracture—with each differing in the type of dietary information it reveals. We review this evidence in an attempt to ascertain a synthetic picture of Paranthropus diet. The results suggest dietary differences between eastern and southern African Paranthropus, with neither consuming a substantial number of large hard objects.

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Dental Wear and Fracture as Indicators of Paranthropus Tooth Function and Diet

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Paul J. Constantino,
  • Peter S. Ungar,
  • Kathryn A. Konow

摘要

For decades paleoanthropologists have tried to use the unusual masticatory morphologyMorphology of Paranthropus to make inferences about its diet. One type of evidence that can be particularly informative in this regard is the damage to tooth enamelToothenamel resulting from feeding behaviors. Such damage can be examined at three scales—microwearMicrowear, macrowearMacrowear, and fracture—with each differing in the type of dietary information it reveals. We review this evidence in an attempt to ascertain a synthetic picture of Paranthropus diet. The results suggest dietary differences between eastern and southern African Paranthropus, with neither consuming a substantial number of large hard objects.