The taxonomic status of the Middle Pleistocene hominins : a 3D geometric morphometric investigation of variation in the supraorbital region
This study investigated the significance of variation in the supraorbital morphology of the Middle Pleistocene hominins (MPH), using 3D geometric morphometric methods and a comparative taxonomic framework. The morphology of the supraorbital and orbital region of fourteen MPH from Africa, Asia, and Europe was recorded using 230 3D landmarks and surface semilandmarks. A comparative sample of 460 primates (Pan, Gorilla, Papio and Macaca) and 237 hominins (Early Pleistocene to Holocene) were included to model supraorbital variation in groups of varying taxonomic classification, ecology, and geographic and temporal range. It was found that the fourteen MPH had relatively low morphological distinctiveness in relation to established species, although they did cluster together in most morphometric analyses. Nevertheless, the variation in the supraorbital and orbital region of the MPH was not larger than could be expected in a single, cross-continental species, and the validity of continental subgroups within the MPH could not be supported based on comparisons to established primate and hominin taxa. Instead, results indicated that some of the MPH may represent transitional specimens or members of other hominin lineages.
White, Suzanna
The taxonomic status of the Middle Pleistocene hominins : a 3D geometric morphometric investigation of variation in the supraorbital region. This study investigated the significance of variation in the supraorbital morphology of the Middle Pleistocene hominins (MPH), using 3D geometric morphometric methods and a comparative taxonomic framework. The morphology of the supraorbital and orbital region of fourteen MPH from Africa, Asia, and Europe was recorded using 230 3D landmarks and surface semilandmarks. A comparative sample of 460 primates (Pan, Gorilla, Papio and Macaca) and 237 hominins (Early Pleistocene to Holocene) were included to model supraorbital variation in groups of varying taxonomic classification, ecology, and geographic and temporal range. It was found that the fourteen MPH had relatively low morphological distinctiveness in relation to established species, although they did cluster together in most morphometric analyses. Nevertheless, the variation in the supraorbital and orbital region of the MPH was not larger than could be expected in a single, cross-continental species, and the validity of continental subgroups within the MPH could not be supported based on comparisons to established primate and hominin taxa. Instead, results indicated that some of the MPH may represent transitional specimens or members of other hominin lineages.
taxonomic status middle_pleistocene hominins geometric morphometric investigation variation region study_investigate significance variation morphology middle_pleistocene hominins use geometric morphometric method comparative taxonomic framework morphology region fourteen africa asia europe record use landmark surface comparative sample pan hominins early pleistocene holocene include model variation group vary taxonomic classification ecology geographic temporal range find fourteen relatively low morphological distinctiveness relation establish specie although cluster together morphometric analysis nevertheless variation region large could expect single cross continental specie validity continental subgroup within could support base comparison establish hominin taxon instead indicate may_represent transitional specimen member hominin lineage