TY - JOUR
T1 - Computer simulations show that neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting
AU - Wroe, Stephen
AU - Parr, William C. H.
AU - Ledogar, Justin
AU - Bourke, Jason
AU - Evans, Samuel P.
AU - Fiorenza, Luca
AU - Benazzi, Stefano
AU - Hublin, Jean-Jacques
AU - Stringer, Chris
AU - Kullmer, Ottmar
AU - Curry, Michael
AU - Rae, Todd C.
AU - Yokley, Todd R.
PY - 2018/4/11
Y1 - 2018/4/11
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.
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.
KW - homo neanderthalensis
KW - homo heidelbergensis
KW - computational fluid dynamics
KW - finite-element analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85045347774&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2018.0085
DO - 10.1098/rspb.2018.0085
M3 - Article
C2 - 29618551
AN - SCOPUS:85045347774
SN - 0962-8452
VL - 285
JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
IS - 1876
M1 - 20180085
ER -