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Ontogeny of the maxilla in Neanderthals and their ancestors

Author

Listed:
  • Rodrigo S. Lacruz

    (Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry
    and NYCEP)

  • Timothy G. Bromage

    (Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry
    and NYCEP
    New York University College of Dentistry)

  • Paul O’Higgins

    (Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, University of York)

  • Juan-Luis Arsuaga

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid-Instituto Carlos III (UCM-ISCIII), Centro de Investigacion de la Evolucion y Comportamiento Humanos)

  • Chris Stringer

    (Natural History Museum)

  • Ricardo Miguel Godinho

    (Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, University of York)

  • Johanna Warshaw

    (Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry
    and NYCEP)

  • Ignacio Martínez

    (Universidad de Alcalá)

  • Ana Gracia-Tellez

    (Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Fac. de Biología, Ciencias Ambientales y Química, Universidad de Alcalá)

  • José María Bermúdez de Castro

    (Centro Nacional de Investigacion sobre la Evolucion Humana)

  • Eudald Carbonell

    (Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social)

Abstract

Neanderthals had large and projecting (prognathic) faces similar to those of their putative ancestors from Sima de los Huesos (SH) and different from the retracted modern human face. When such differences arose during development and the morphogenetic modifications involved are unknown. We show that maxillary growth remodelling (bone formation and resorption) of the Devil’s Tower (Gibraltar 2) and La Quina 18 Neanderthals and four SH hominins, all sub-adults, show extensive bone deposition, whereas in modern humans extensive osteoclastic bone resorption is found in the same regions. This morphogenetic difference is evident by ∼5 years of age. Modern human faces are distinct from those of the Neanderthal and SH fossils in part because their postnatal growth processes differ markedly. The growth remodelling identified in these fossil hominins is shared with Australopithecus and early Homo but not with modern humans suggesting that the modern human face is developmentally derived.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrigo S. Lacruz & Timothy G. Bromage & Paul O’Higgins & Juan-Luis Arsuaga & Chris Stringer & Ricardo Miguel Godinho & Johanna Warshaw & Ignacio Martínez & Ana Gracia-Tellez & José María Bermúdez de , 2015. "Ontogeny of the maxilla in Neanderthals and their ancestors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9996
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9996
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