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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Microwear, Mechanics And The Feeding Adaptations Of Australopithecus Africanus, Paul Constantino, Craig Byron, Paul Dechow, Ian Gross, Peter Lucas, Brian Richmond, Callum Ross, Dennis Slice, Mark Spencer, Dennis Strait, Qian Wang, Gerhard Weber, Bernard Wood, Barth Wright
Microwear, Mechanics And The Feeding Adaptations Of Australopithecus Africanus, Paul Constantino, Craig Byron, Paul Dechow, Ian Gross, Peter Lucas, Brian Richmond, Callum Ross, Dennis Slice, Mark Spencer, Dennis Strait, Qian Wang, Gerhard Weber, Bernard Wood, Barth Wright
Paul J. Constantino
Recent studies of dental microwear and craniofacial mechanics have yielded contradictory interpretations regarding the feeding ecology and adaptations of Australopithecus africanus. As part of this debate, the methods used in the mechanical studies have been criticized. In particular, it has been claimed that finite element analysis has been poorly applied to this research question. This paper responds to some of these mechanical criticisms, highlights limitations of dental microwear analysis, and identifies avenues of future research.