Exploring pitting enamel defects as a potential new tool for phylogenetic connections in fossil hominins

Abstract

Pitting enamel hypoplasia (PEH) is common in Paranthropus robustus, but has rarely been described in other primates. This study investigates PEH occurrence in 83 hominin dental remains with intact crowns from Omo, Ethiopia, comparing the findings to taxa in other locations. Tooth size and 2D enamel thickness were also quantfied in both eastern and southern African samples to examine potential associations with PEH occurrence.