Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting

TY - JOUR

T1 - Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting

AU - Rae, Todd C.

AU - Wroe, Steven

AU - Stringer, Chris B.

AU - Parr, William C. H.

AU - Ledogar, Justin A.

AU - Bourke, Jason

AU - Evans, Samuel P.

AU - Fiorenza, Luca

AU - Benazzi, Stefano

AU - Hublin, Jean-Jacques

AU - Kullmer, Ottmar

AU - Curry, Michael

AU - Yokley, Todd R.

PY - 2018/4/4

Y1 - 2018/4/4

N2 - Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: 1) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces, 2) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air, and, 3) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these hypotheses using three-dimensional models of Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (H. heidelbergensis), applying finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This is the most comprehensive application of either approach applied to date and the first to include both. FEA reveals few differences between H. heidelbergensis, modern humans and Neanderthals in their capacities to sustain high anterior tooth loadings. CFD shows that the nasal cavities of Neanderthals and especially modern humans condition air more efficiently than does that of H. heidelbergensis, suggesting that both evolved to better withstand cold and/or dry climates than less derived Homo. We further find that Neanderthals could move considerably more air through the nasal pathway than could H. heidelbergensis or modern humans, consistent with the propositions that, relative to our outgroup Homo, Neanderthal facial morphology evolved to reflect improved capacities to better condition cold, dry air, and, to move greater air volumes in response to higher energetic requirements.© 2018, The Royal Society. The attached document (embargoed until 04/04/2018) is an author produced version of a paper published in PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link below. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

AB - Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: 1) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces, 2) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air, and, 3) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these hypotheses using three-dimensional models of Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (H. heidelbergensis), applying finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This is the most comprehensive application of either approach applied to date and the first to include both. FEA reveals few differences between H. heidelbergensis, modern humans and Neanderthals in their capacities to sustain high anterior tooth loadings. CFD shows that the nasal cavities of Neanderthals and especially modern humans condition air more efficiently than does that of H. heidelbergensis, suggesting that both evolved to better withstand cold and/or dry climates than less derived Homo. We further find that Neanderthals could move considerably more air through the nasal pathway than could H. heidelbergensis or modern humans, consistent with the propositions that, relative to our outgroup Homo, Neanderthal facial morphology evolved to reflect improved capacities to better condition cold, dry air, and, to move greater air volumes in response to higher energetic requirements.© 2018, The Royal Society. The attached document (embargoed until 04/04/2018) is an author produced version of a paper published in PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link below. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2018.0085

DO - 10.1098/rspb.2018.0085

M3 - Article

SN - 0962-8452

JO - Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences

JF - Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences

ER -