The “sediba” could not biting force other australopithecines – Ultimahora.com

This research sheds light on the characteristics of this new species of hominid, who lived less than two million years ago in woodlands and could be a link between the ape-man South African (Australopithecus africanus) and the First Men.

After being discovered almost nine years ago, a study in 2012 suggested that the “sediba” means “fountain” in the South African language Sesotho, fed on leaves, fruit, bark and other plants.

However, this new research, developed by a group of international experts led by the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg (South Africa), disproves that theory after observing that their teeth and jaws were not adapted to such a diet.

“most australopithecines had amazing adaptations in its jaws, teeth and faces that allow them to process hard foods to chew or break. Among other qualities, they were able to bite effectively applying a great force,” says anthropologist David Strait of Washington University in St. Louis (EE. UU.).

One exception seems to be the “Australopithecus sediba” as his jaw structure prevented him from applying great pressure to bite or chew.

“If I had tried to bite with all their forces with their molar teeth, applying the maximum power of the jaw muscle had been dislocated jaw, “adds Justin Ledogar, University of New England (Australia).

scientists have come to these conclusions developing, among others, biomechanical testing of the skull of a “Australopithecus sediba” in a computer program.

This model analyzed the remains of two skeletons-a boy and a woman found in 2008 a cave in the South African region of Sterkfontein, 40 kilometers from Johannesburg, declared cradle of humanity by the large number of fossils it contains.

the above tests, experts say, are similar to the biomechanical test used to measure the tensile strength of airplanes, cars and other many machines.

“These unexpected discoveries, but frankly fascinating, are backed by the meticulous study conducted by a group of scientists for more than a decade, with an experimental investigation of the mechanics of chewing designed to show the validity of computer-aided model, “says Kristian Carlson from the University of Witwatersrand.

Although this work does not address the possibility of the “sediba” is a close link to the first humans, it does provide further evidence of the influence they had on hominid dietary changes in the origin and evolution of our species.

human, remember, too have limitations on the force with which they can bite or crush, perhaps similar to those of the most primitive food, while other Australopithecus analyzed “did not have many limitations.”

“This means that some populations of Australopithecus to strengthen their jaws evolved structures, while others, including the ‘sediba’ evolved in the opposite direction, “adds Ledogar.