On November 18th, news from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Institute of Paleospine, Chinese Academy of Sciences) said that the research team of Zhao Lingxia and Zhang Lizhao of the Institute of related scientific research colleagues in the United Nations, based on the abundant fossils of Lufeng ancient ape molar teeth, used Micro-computed tomography (CT) technology constructs virtual models of the teeth of Lufeng ancient apes, modern humans, and living three great apes (orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees), and quantitatively analyzes the enamel thickness and distribution characteristics of the upper and lower molars. And compared with other living and fossil primate data, and then analyze and discuss the evolution and adaptation of Lufeng ancient apes.
Their latest research found that the Lufeng ancient ape has a relatively thick molar tooth enamel structure, and the relative enamel thickness is between modern humans and orangutans, which is significantly thicker than chimpanzees and gorillas in Africa.
It is worth mentioning that the enamel thickness of Lufeng ancient apes molar teeth is significantly thicker on the tooth tip and occlusal surface.
This important progress paper on paleoanthropological research has recently been published in the international professional academic journal "Historical Biology".
The first author of the paper, Dr. Zhang Lizhao from the Institute of Paleospine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency in Beijing on the same day to interpret the research results of Lufeng ancient ape tooth fossils.
It is understood that the Lufeng ancient ape, named after the place name of Lufeng in Yunnan, is a kind of great apes that lived in Yunnan, China in the late Miocene about 6 to 8 million years ago. Its fossil discovery and research are useful for exploring the great apes in East Asia. Evolution and extinction, the origin and development of early human beings are of great significance, and therefore have become one of the focuses of attention in paleoanthropology.
(Reporter Sun Zifa produced Li Jiali)
Editor in charge: [Zhang Kaixin]