This study focuses on a dental microwear texture analysis of European pliopithecids and dryopithecins from the Miocene primate site of Rudabánya, Hungary. The goal is to determine whether these taxa, found in part together in the same deposits, differed in their food preferences, or at least consumed, on a daily basis, in a manner that might have facilitated sympatry.
Materials and Methods
Here we report on a molar surface texture analysis of all available fossil primates from Rudabánya that preserve antemortem microwear. This includes both Anapithecus hernyaki (n = 14) and Rudapithecus hungaricus (n = 5, including one from Alsótelekes). Scanning confocal profilometry was used to generate point clouds, and texture complexity and anisotropy values were compared between the fossil taxa and contextualized with published data for an extant baseline series.
Results
Texture complexity and anisotropy values for both samples fall within the range of extant frugivorous primates. Further, while anisotropy does not differ between the fossil taxa, Rudapithecus has a significantly higher complexity average than Anapithecus.
Discussion
The difference in microwear texture complexity suggests that Rudapithecus individuals studied here consumed harder foods on average than did Anapithecus individuals did. This is consistent with the notion that dietary differences may have played a role in the niche separation of these taxa.
{"title":"Dental Microwear and Diets of Late Miocene Primates From Rudabánya, Hungary","authors":"Peter S. Ungar, Anna K. Wilcox, David R. Begun","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70131","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajpa.70131","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study focuses on a dental microwear texture analysis of European pliopithecids and dryopithecins from the Miocene primate site of Rudabánya, Hungary. The goal is to determine whether these taxa, found in part together in the same deposits, differed in their food preferences, or at least consumed, on a daily basis, in a manner that might have facilitated sympatry.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Here we report on a molar surface texture analysis of all available fossil primates from Rudabánya that preserve antemortem microwear. This includes both <i>Anapithecus hernyaki</i> (<i>n</i> = 14) and <i>Rudapithecus hungaricus</i> (<i>n</i> = 5, including one from Alsótelekes). Scanning confocal profilometry was used to generate point clouds, and texture complexity and anisotropy values were compared between the fossil taxa and contextualized with published data for an extant baseline series.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Texture complexity and anisotropy values for both samples fall within the range of extant frugivorous primates. Further, while anisotropy does not differ between the fossil taxa, <i>Rudapithecus</i> has a significantly higher complexity average than <i>Anapithecus.</i></p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The difference in microwear texture complexity suggests that <i>Rudapithecus</i> individuals studied here consumed harder foods on average than did <i>Anapithecus</i> individuals did. This is consistent with the notion that dietary differences may have played a role in the niche separation of these taxa.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145137566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kristin L. Krueger, Ian Towle, Gregory J. Matthews, Ana Álvarez Fernández, Leslea J. Hlusko
Objectives
This study evaluates molar wear progression in a captive baboon population under controlled dietary and environmental conditions. By comparing the dentin exposure ratio (DER) with a newly developed quadrant-based modification of Scott's dental wear scoring system (Krueger-Scott method), we evaluate how wear patterns vary by age, sex, and occlusal region.
Materials and Methods
Mandibular second molars (M2) were assessed at two timepoints, during life and postmortem, in 201 captive baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Krueger-Scott and DER data were collected from 3D intraoral scans processed in MEDIT Link software. The Krueger-Scott scores assigned ordinal scores (1–10) to four equal quadrants of each M2 based on enamel facet development and dentin exposure. Statistical analyses tested relationships between wear progression, quadrant location, sex, and age.
Results
Krueger-Scott scores and DER values increased significantly between timepoints, indicating wear progression. However, Krueger-Scott scores revealed strong functional patterning: buccal and lingual cusps showed high within-group correlations and weaker cross-group correlations. Males showed significantly higher wear than females, despite being younger on average. The relationship between age and wear progression differed by sex.
Discussion
The Krueger-Scott method provided a more anatomically informative and efficient approach to tracking occlusal wear than DER. It captured regional wear variation and functional asymmetries that DER could not detect. Even under controlled conditions, sex-based differences in wear emerged, likely reflecting behavioral, morphological, or enamel structural variation. These findings offer a comparative baseline and demonstrate the utility of quadrant-level scoring for interpreting wear in extant and extinct taxa.
{"title":"Tracking Molar Wear in Captive Baboons: Sex and Age Effects Using a Modified Scott Scoring System","authors":"Kristin L. Krueger, Ian Towle, Gregory J. Matthews, Ana Álvarez Fernández, Leslea J. Hlusko","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70126","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajpa.70126","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study evaluates molar wear progression in a captive baboon population under controlled dietary and environmental conditions. By comparing the dentin exposure ratio (DER) with a newly developed quadrant-based modification of Scott's dental wear scoring system (Krueger-Scott method), we evaluate how wear patterns vary by age, sex, and occlusal region.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mandibular second molars (M<sub>2</sub>) were assessed at two timepoints, during life and postmortem, in 201 captive baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Krueger-Scott and DER data were collected from 3D intraoral scans processed in MEDIT Link software. The Krueger-Scott scores assigned ordinal scores (1–10) to four equal quadrants of each M<sub>2</sub> based on enamel facet development and dentin exposure. Statistical analyses tested relationships between wear progression, quadrant location, sex, and age.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Krueger-Scott scores and DER values increased significantly between timepoints, indicating wear progression. However, Krueger-Scott scores revealed strong functional patterning: buccal and lingual cusps showed high within-group correlations and weaker cross-group correlations. Males showed significantly higher wear than females, despite being younger on average. The relationship between age and wear progression differed by sex.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Krueger-Scott method provided a more anatomically informative and efficient approach to tracking occlusal wear than DER. It captured regional wear variation and functional asymmetries that DER could not detect. Even under controlled conditions, sex-based differences in wear emerged, likely reflecting behavioral, morphological, or enamel structural variation. These findings offer a comparative baseline and demonstrate the utility of quadrant-level scoring for interpreting wear in extant and extinct taxa.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajpa.70126","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145087436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul Klostermann, Mary Lewis, Margit Berner, Sabine Eggers, Bendeguz Tobias, Ke Wang, Zuzana Hofmanová, Doris Pany-Kucera
Objectives
This study provides insights into adolescent development during the early medieval period in Austria and offers a point of comparison of the timing of sexual maturation relative to the Imperial Roman and the late medieval periods.
Materials and Methods
The timing of adolescent development of 89 individuals in two rural cemeteries from the middle to late Avar period (ca. 650–800 ce) was reconstructed using skeletal and dental indicators. This is the first study to employ genetic sex estimation via ancient DNA on all analyzed adolescents, enabling robust assessment of sex-specific patterns of growth and development.
Results
Females were on average 1–2 years younger than males at each development stage. Adolescents appear to have developed later during the late Avar period compared to the previous Roman (0.4–2.3 years) and to a lesser extent later than the late medieval period (by up to 1.2 years).
Discussion
These developmental differences may reflect the impact of different living conditions in urban and rural settings as well as underlying genetic variation. While general ages of adolescence were comparable between the early and later medieval groups, the earliest observed age of menarche is 3 years later in the later medieval period than in the Roman group. The timing of the physiological transition is consistent with an increase in grave goods in the early medieval sites. Greater standardization in puberty assessment, age, and biological sex estimation is needed to improve cross-population comparability of future adolescence studies from different contexts in the past.
{"title":"Bioarcheological Perspectives on the Timing of Adolescence in Rural Avar-Age Austria, 7th–9th Centuries ce","authors":"Paul Klostermann, Mary Lewis, Margit Berner, Sabine Eggers, Bendeguz Tobias, Ke Wang, Zuzana Hofmanová, Doris Pany-Kucera","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70123","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajpa.70123","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides insights into adolescent development during the early medieval period in Austria and offers a point of comparison of the timing of sexual maturation relative to the Imperial Roman and the late medieval periods.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The timing of adolescent development of 89 individuals in two rural cemeteries from the middle to late Avar period (ca. 650–800 <span>ce</span>) was reconstructed using skeletal and dental indicators. This is the first study to employ genetic sex estimation via ancient DNA on all analyzed adolescents, enabling robust assessment of sex-specific patterns of growth and development.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Females were on average 1–2 years younger than males at each development stage. Adolescents appear to have developed later during the late Avar period compared to the previous Roman (0.4–2.3 years) and to a lesser extent later than the late medieval period (by up to 1.2 years).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These developmental differences may reflect the impact of different living conditions in urban and rural settings as well as underlying genetic variation. While general ages of adolescence were comparable between the early and later medieval groups, the earliest observed age of menarche is 3 years later in the later medieval period than in the Roman group. The timing of the physiological transition is consistent with an increase in grave goods in the early medieval sites. Greater standardization in puberty assessment, age, and biological sex estimation is needed to improve cross-population comparability of future adolescence studies from different contexts in the past.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12441998/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brianne Morgan, Meghan Langlois, Rachel Schats, Alie E. van der Merwe, Isabelle Ribot, Andrea Waters-Rist, Megan B. Brickley
Objectives
This paper explores metric manifestations of anemia in crania undergoing growth and development using micro-CT imaging. It proposes a framework for assigning a most-likely diagnostic option for anemia, based on evaluating the parameters proposed in this study.
Materials and Methods
Sixty-eight orbits/frontal bones of individuals aged birth to 15 years from Quebecois and Dutch archaeological collections dating to the 18th and 19th centuries underwent micro-CT analysis. Individuals were visually assessed for skeletal manifestations of marrow hyperplasia within the internal marrow space using a scoring rubric. Bone microarchitecture measurements were used to calculate T-scores and identify individuals who displayed potential manifestations of marrow hyperplasia. Relative cortical thickness ratios of the frontal bone were calculated for 16 individuals. Error testing was performed for all evaluations.
Results
Using the micro-CT analysis and our diagnostic framework, anemia was inferred in 16% (10/61) of the sample that was preserved well enough for the study. Trabecular separation T-scores were considered the most significant metric for evaluating anemia. Frontal bone ratios were regarded as less insightful due to the imaging technique used. Age had a significant effect on bone measurements, and high repeatability was seen across methods.
Discussion
In this study, recommendations for assigning a diagnostic option prioritize evaluating metric features strongly related to anemia through a biological approach that considers the etiology of marrow hyperplasia. Including a combination of metric and internal visual evaluation criteria provides clearer lines of evidence for the assessment of abnormal bone changes associated with anemia beyond the macroscopic evaluation of porous lesions.
{"title":"A Framework for Anemia Differential Diagnosis in Paleopathology Incorporating Metric Methods","authors":"Brianne Morgan, Meghan Langlois, Rachel Schats, Alie E. van der Merwe, Isabelle Ribot, Andrea Waters-Rist, Megan B. Brickley","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70125","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajpa.70125","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper explores metric manifestations of anemia in crania undergoing growth and development using micro-CT imaging. It proposes a framework for assigning a most-likely diagnostic option for anemia, based on evaluating the parameters proposed in this study.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sixty-eight orbits/frontal bones of individuals aged birth to 15 years from Quebecois and Dutch archaeological collections dating to the 18th and 19th centuries underwent micro-CT analysis. Individuals were visually assessed for skeletal manifestations of marrow hyperplasia within the internal marrow space using a scoring rubric. Bone microarchitecture measurements were used to calculate <i>T</i>-scores and identify individuals who displayed potential manifestations of marrow hyperplasia. Relative cortical thickness ratios of the frontal bone were calculated for 16 individuals. Error testing was performed for all evaluations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using the micro-CT analysis and our diagnostic framework, anemia was inferred in 16% (10/61) of the sample that was preserved well enough for the study. Trabecular separation T-scores were considered the most significant metric for evaluating anemia. Frontal bone ratios were regarded as less insightful due to the imaging technique used. Age had a significant effect on bone measurements, and high repeatability was seen across methods.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this study, recommendations for assigning a diagnostic option prioritize evaluating metric features strongly related to anemia through a biological approach that considers the etiology of marrow hyperplasia. Including a combination of metric and internal visual evaluation criteria provides clearer lines of evidence for the assessment of abnormal bone changes associated with anemia beyond the macroscopic evaluation of porous lesions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12442334/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Osteoarthritis (OA) is described as an inevitable part of aging. Palaeopathological studies can challenge such ideas of universal biology. OA from the Australian Aboriginal site of Roonka is analyzed to test whether expectations from contemporary, ethnohistorical, and archeological data are held or whether OA at this place was distinctly different.
Materials and Methods
Human remains from Roonka, South Australia, date to the Holocene and are divisible into early and late periods. A total of 83 adults was analyzed. OA was defined using the criteria of Waldron and Rogers (1995). Analysis used both univariate and quasi-Poisson regression analysis.
Results
Very few joints had evidence of OA except for the TMJ (28.8%). OA was concentrated on the upper body. Lower body OA was observed only in individuals with prior injury or disease. Comparison with human remains from along the Murray River indicates a similar pattern of joints affected but spatial diversity between the upper and lower Murray River.
Discussion
The pattern of OA observed at Roonka corresponds with contemporary records of age development. However, epidemiological patterns were distinctly different. Except for people with prior injury or disease, OA was not prevalent. The comparison of Roonka with archeological samples demonstrates diversity during the Holocene and does not correspond to expectations of increasingly heavier workloads over time. The lack of concordance between the pattern of OA among people at Roonka and expectations based on other data reflects how embodied experiences of the condition are contingent on local entanglements of biology and culture.
{"title":"Osteoarthritis at Roonka, Australia: A Local Biology","authors":"Matilda McVicar, Bruce Floyd, Judith Littleton","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70122","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajpa.70122","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is described as an inevitable part of aging. Palaeopathological studies can challenge such ideas of universal biology. OA from the Australian Aboriginal site of Roonka is analyzed to test whether expectations from contemporary, ethnohistorical, and archeological data are held or whether OA at this place was distinctly different.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Human remains from Roonka, South Australia, date to the Holocene and are divisible into early and late periods. A total of 83 adults was analyzed. OA was defined using the criteria of Waldron and Rogers (1995). Analysis used both univariate and quasi-Poisson regression analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Very few joints had evidence of OA except for the TMJ (28.8%). OA was concentrated on the upper body. Lower body OA was observed only in individuals with prior injury or disease. Comparison with human remains from along the Murray River indicates a similar pattern of joints affected but spatial diversity between the upper and lower Murray River.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The pattern of OA observed at Roonka corresponds with contemporary records of age development. However, epidemiological patterns were distinctly different. Except for people with prior injury or disease, OA was not prevalent. The comparison of Roonka with archeological samples demonstrates diversity during the Holocene and does not correspond to expectations of increasingly heavier workloads over time. The lack of concordance between the pattern of OA among people at Roonka and expectations based on other data reflects how embodied experiences of the condition are contingent on local entanglements of biology and culture.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12439870/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145070872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ghennie T. Rodríguez-Rey, Marcela Orjuela-Rodríguez, Narmer Fernando Galeano-Vanegas
Objectives
A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to estimate and compare the proportions of Native American, African, and European ancestries in Colombia with those in other Latin American countries.
Materials and Methods
Articles published between 2005 and 2022 that estimated Colombian genetic admixture using autosomal markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms or ancestry informative markers) were reviewed. Meta-analyses were conducted at both national and regional levels. Finally, the results of Colombia were compared with estimates from other Latin American countries.
Results
Considering 75 records, Colombia displayed more balanced proportions of Native American and European ancestry (0.307 and 0.510, respectively), while the proportion of African ancestry was, on average, 2.23 times lower, with a value of 0.183. At the regional level, the distribution of these ancestral groups across the territory was not homogeneous. The Pacific region exhibits the highest African ancestry, followed closely by the Insular region. The Amazon region shows the highest Native American ancestry, followed by the Orinoquía region, while the Andean region presents the highest European ancestry, followed by the Caribbean and Orinoquía regions. In the Latin America context, Colombia ranks 8th for Native American ancestry, 5th for African ancestry, and 11th for European ancestry.
Conclusions
Colombia can be considered one of the most genetically diverse countries in Latin America, with significant variability in ancestry distribution both between and within regions. Further research is needed to fully understand Colombia's genomic ancestry and to develop precision public health strategies to advance precision medicine.
{"title":"Ancestry and Genetic Admixture of the Colombian Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Ghennie T. Rodríguez-Rey, Marcela Orjuela-Rodríguez, Narmer Fernando Galeano-Vanegas","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70124","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to estimate and compare the proportions of Native American, African, and European ancestries in Colombia with those in other Latin American countries.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Articles published between 2005 and 2022 that estimated Colombian genetic admixture using autosomal markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms or ancestry informative markers) were reviewed. Meta-analyses were conducted at both national and regional levels. Finally, the results of Colombia were compared with estimates from other Latin American countries.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Considering 75 records, Colombia displayed more balanced proportions of Native American and European ancestry (0.307 and 0.510, respectively), while the proportion of African ancestry was, on average, 2.23 times lower, with a value of 0.183. At the regional level, the distribution of these ancestral groups across the territory was not homogeneous. The Pacific region exhibits the highest African ancestry, followed closely by the Insular region. The Amazon region shows the highest Native American ancestry, followed by the Orinoquía region, while the Andean region presents the highest European ancestry, followed by the Caribbean and Orinoquía regions. In the Latin America context, Colombia ranks 8th for Native American ancestry, 5th for African ancestry, and 11th for European ancestry.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Colombia can be considered one of the most genetically diverse countries in Latin America, with significant variability in ancestry distribution both between and within regions. Further research is needed to fully understand Colombia's genomic ancestry and to develop precision public health strategies to advance precision medicine.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145037960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study explores cranial morphological variation and population continuity in the Carpathian Basin from the 1st to 13th centuries CE. It focuses on assessing biological differences and similarities across major archaeological periods, with particular emphasis on the Avar, Hungarian Conquest, and Árpádian Age populations.
Materials and Methods
A total of 1,597 adult crania (864 males, 733 females) were analyzed using six neurocranial measurements. Morphological distances between populations were calculated using Canberra distance. Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA), Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were applied to evaluate intergroup differentiation.
Results
The analyses revealed significant morphological variation between most archaeological groups. Avars—especially the Late Avar population—formed distinct morphological patterns, primarily along the first canonical axis influenced by cranial breadth and height. Males showed statistically significant differences between Early and Late Avar groups, whereas the corresponding comparison among females did not reach significance. The strongest separations occurred between Avars and the Gepidic, Sarmatian, and Transition groups, consistent with CVA and MDS findings.
Discussion
The results suggest population continuity in some cases (e.g., Early–Late Avar, Conquest–Árpádian Age), but also highlight evidence of population restructuring, particularly among males. Recent genetic research supports these findings, indicating patrilineal descent and local kinship cohesion within Avar communities. This study underscores the value of the integration of cranial morphometrics with multivariate statistical approaches to reconstruct complex demographic histories in early medieval Central Europe.
{"title":"Morphological Traces of Population Change in the Carpathian Basin (1st–13th Century CE)","authors":"József Turtóczki","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explores cranial morphological variation and population continuity in the Carpathian Basin from the 1st to 13th centuries CE. It focuses on assessing biological differences and similarities across major archaeological periods, with particular emphasis on the Avar, Hungarian Conquest, and Árpádian Age populations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 1,597 adult crania (864 males, 733 females) were analyzed using six neurocranial measurements. Morphological distances between populations were calculated using Canberra distance. Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA), Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were applied to evaluate intergroup differentiation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The analyses revealed significant morphological variation between most archaeological groups. Avars—especially the Late Avar population—formed distinct morphological patterns, primarily along the first canonical axis influenced by cranial breadth and height. Males showed statistically significant differences between Early and Late Avar groups, whereas the corresponding comparison among females did not reach significance. The strongest separations occurred between Avars and the Gepidic, Sarmatian, and Transition groups, consistent with CVA and MDS findings.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results suggest population continuity in some cases (e.g., Early–Late Avar, Conquest–Árpádian Age), but also highlight evidence of population restructuring, particularly among males. Recent genetic research supports these findings, indicating patrilineal descent and local kinship cohesion within Avar communities. This study underscores the value of the integration of cranial morphometrics with multivariate statistical approaches to reconstruct complex demographic histories in early medieval Central Europe.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145022298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The terminal Pleistocene is a crucial stage in the formation and differentiation of modern populations. Recent studies show that the population during this period had significant morphological variability and regional divergence. The objective of this study was to investigate the Yahuai-1 (YH1) from the Yahuai Cave site in southern China to understand human morphological diversity and population dynamics during the terminal Pleistocene in Southern East Asia.
Materials and Methods
The YH1, which dated back to 16.0k years ago, was the main material of this study. The analytical approach involved a comprehensive comparison of both metric and non-metric craniomandibular traits of YH1. The comparison samples included those from the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, as well as recent-modern specimens from Asia and Oceania.
Results
The YH1 cranium exhibits large overall size, substantial cranial capacity, and more developed craniomandibular superstructures. Multivariate analysis of craniometric traits reveals that YH1 is morphologically congruent with Maritime Southeast Asians, Polynesians, and Micronesians among recent and modern groups. Among ancient specimens, YH1 clusters more closely with Late Pleistocene fossils. The combined results of two multivariate analyses reveal YH1's craniofacial mosaicism, characterized by a larger, primitive facial skeleton juxtaposed with a derived neurocranial vault.
Conclusion
(1) YH1 exhibits mosaic craniofacial traits, serving as an evolutionary transition between Late Pleistocene hominins and Holocene populations. (2) Around 16.0k years ago, the north–south differentiation in East Asian craniofacial morphology had not yet been completed. (3) YH1 may have contributed to the Austronesian-speaking populations' origin.
{"title":"The Terminal Pleistocene Human Skull From Yahuai Cave: Craniofacial Morphological Variation and Complex Population History in Southern East Asia","authors":"Letian He, Guangmao Xie, Xiujie Wu, Qiang Lin, Jieying Lu, Noreen von Craman-Taubadel","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70114","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The terminal Pleistocene is a crucial stage in the formation and differentiation of modern populations. Recent studies show that the population during this period had significant morphological variability and regional divergence. The objective of this study was to investigate the Yahuai-1 (YH1) from the Yahuai Cave site in southern China to understand human morphological diversity and population dynamics during the terminal Pleistocene in Southern East Asia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The YH1, which dated back to 16.0k years ago, was the main material of this study. The analytical approach involved a comprehensive comparison of both metric and non-metric craniomandibular traits of YH1. The comparison samples included those from the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, as well as recent-modern specimens from Asia and Oceania.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The YH1 cranium exhibits large overall size, substantial cranial capacity, and more developed craniomandibular superstructures. Multivariate analysis of craniometric traits reveals that YH1 is morphologically congruent with Maritime Southeast Asians, Polynesians, and Micronesians among recent and modern groups. Among ancient specimens, YH1 clusters more closely with Late Pleistocene fossils. The combined results of two multivariate analyses reveal YH1's craniofacial mosaicism, characterized by a larger, primitive facial skeleton juxtaposed with a derived neurocranial vault.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>(1) YH1 exhibits mosaic craniofacial traits, serving as an evolutionary transition between Late Pleistocene hominins and Holocene populations. (2) Around 16.0k years ago, the north–south differentiation in East Asian craniofacial morphology had not yet been completed. (3) YH1 may have contributed to the Austronesian-speaking populations' origin.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145022302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evolutionary quantitative genetics methods are increasingly applied to studies of human skeletal evolution, with a growing emphasis on investigating postcranial evolution and the evolution of multiple skeletal elements. Here, we apply a commonly used method from evolutionary quantitative genetics, the drift-rate test, to test whether broad patterns of cranial and pelvic co-evolution within male, female, and pooled-sex samples of anthropoid primates follow those expected under the long-standing hypotheses of obstetric selection via cephalopelvic disproportion.
Materials and Methods
Using interlandmark distances from the cranium and articulated pelvis from samples of four platyrrhine, four cercopithecoid, and five hominoid primate genera, we tested cranial, pelvic, and craniopelvic traits for evidence of deviation from neutral evolutionary patterns using both regression tests of within- on between-group eigenvalues and correlation tests of principal component scores.
Results
Results for analyses of shape data indicate that patterns of non-neutral evolution are different in male and female samples at multiple taxonomic levels, and that cranial and pelvic shape are co-evolving. Rejection of neutral evolution was pervasive for tests of form, but inconclusive regarding sex-specific selection or whether the cranium and pelvis appeared to covary or evolve independently.
Discussion
Sex-specific patterns of evolution support hypotheses that obstetric selection may have impacted multiple primate lineages. Although size may play a role, it does not appear to be the dominant factor in evolution for either element. This study highlights the usefulness of using methods from evolutionary quantitative genetics to test long-standing hypotheses by incorporating multiple skeletal elements simultaneously.
{"title":"An Evolutionary Quantitative Genetic Analysis of the Impact of Cephalopelvic Disproportion on Cranial and Pelvic Co-Evolution in Anthropoids","authors":"Marianne J. Cooper, Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70109","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Evolutionary quantitative genetics methods are increasingly applied to studies of human skeletal evolution, with a growing emphasis on investigating postcranial evolution and the evolution of multiple skeletal elements. Here, we apply a commonly used method from evolutionary quantitative genetics, the drift-rate test, to test whether broad patterns of cranial and pelvic co-evolution within male, female, and pooled-sex samples of anthropoid primates follow those expected under the long-standing hypotheses of obstetric selection via cephalopelvic disproportion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using interlandmark distances from the cranium and articulated pelvis from samples of four platyrrhine, four cercopithecoid, and five hominoid primate genera, we tested cranial, pelvic, and craniopelvic traits for evidence of deviation from neutral evolutionary patterns using both regression tests of within- on between-group eigenvalues and correlation tests of principal component scores.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results for analyses of shape data indicate that patterns of non-neutral evolution are different in male and female samples at multiple taxonomic levels, and that cranial and pelvic shape are co-evolving. Rejection of neutral evolution was pervasive for tests of form, but inconclusive regarding sex-specific selection or whether the cranium and pelvis appeared to covary or evolve independently.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sex-specific patterns of evolution support hypotheses that obstetric selection may have impacted multiple primate lineages. Although size may play a role, it does not appear to be the dominant factor in evolution for either element. This study highlights the usefulness of using methods from evolutionary quantitative genetics to test long-standing hypotheses by incorporating multiple skeletal elements simultaneously.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia A. Mackessy, Amanda L. Thompson, Peggy E. Bentley, Morgan K. Hoke, Alexis L. Woods Barr, Heather M. Wasser
Objectives
Despite growing attention on the issue, racial disparities in birth and breastfeeding outcomes in the United States persist. However, few biocultural studies have explored the interaction between these outcomes specifically in non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women. The present study examines the risks for a mismatch between women's birth intent and birth outcome (labor mismatch) and its impact on achieving their breastfeeding goals.
Materials and Methods
This study used data from the Mothers & Others study, a two-group randomized control trial aimed at reducing rapid weight gain among NHB infants. Data were collected from self-identified NHB women via survey by peer educators at enrollment and from postpartum home visits at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. Logistic regression was used to test for risks for labor mismatch and whether a labor mismatch was associated with participants' achievement of breastfeeding goals, controlling for BMI, delivery location, education, age, low-income status, previous breastfeeding experience, WIC status, and being in the intervention group.
Results
123 of the 265 participants (47.49%) had a labor mismatch. In adjusted regression models, maternal BMI, education, and low-income status were associated with labor mismatch. We did not find that a labor mismatch was associated with participants achieving their breastfeeding goals. We did find that having a pre-pregnancy BMI over 25 and a high-school education were significantly associated with breastfeeding shorter than mothers intended.
Discussion
Though labor mismatch was not associated with breastfeeding outcomes, our results suggest that income, education, and BMI are significant for NHB women achieving their birth and breastfeeding goals.
{"title":"The Impact of Labor Mismatch on Achieving Breastfeeding Goals Among Non-Hispanic Black Women in North Carolina","authors":"Julia A. Mackessy, Amanda L. Thompson, Peggy E. Bentley, Morgan K. Hoke, Alexis L. Woods Barr, Heather M. Wasser","doi":"10.1002/ajpa.70115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70115","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite growing attention on the issue, racial disparities in birth and breastfeeding outcomes in the United States persist. However, few biocultural studies have explored the interaction between these outcomes specifically in non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women. The present study examines the risks for a mismatch between women's birth intent and birth outcome (labor mismatch) and its impact on achieving their breastfeeding goals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study used data from the Mothers & Others study, a two-group randomized control trial aimed at reducing rapid weight gain among NHB infants. Data were collected from self-identified NHB women via survey by peer educators at enrollment and from postpartum home visits at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. Logistic regression was used to test for risks for labor mismatch and whether a labor mismatch was associated with participants' achievement of breastfeeding goals, controlling for BMI, delivery location, education, age, low-income status, previous breastfeeding experience, WIC status, and being in the intervention group.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>123 of the 265 participants (47.49%) had a labor mismatch. In adjusted regression models, maternal BMI, education, and low-income status were associated with labor mismatch. We did not find that a labor mismatch was associated with participants achieving their breastfeeding goals. We did find that having a pre-pregnancy BMI over 25 and a high-school education were significantly associated with breastfeeding shorter than mothers intended.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Though labor mismatch was not associated with breastfeeding outcomes, our results suggest that income, education, and BMI are significant for NHB women achieving their birth and breastfeeding goals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":29759,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Biological Anthropology","volume":"188 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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