Journal of Phylogenetics & Evolutionary Biology

The Divination of Dentitions in Evolution

Abstract

Geoffrey H Sperber

Teeth are quintessential elements of evolutionary evidence imposed by ecological niches and determined by dietary demands. By virtue of their postmortem durability, teeth are often the only remaining remnants of long extinct species to provide presumption of their previous paleontological existence. That teeth are intimately associated with dietary intake provides unambiguous evidence of ancient ambient environments and extinct cultural practices. Spectroscopic analysis of enamel and attritional dental wear reveal archaic food composition. Genetic inheritance patterns contained in varying dental configurations reveal permutations of evolutionary trends. Analysis of the preserved mitochondrial DNA of archaic dental pulp tissue of long–deceased antecedents and historical figures of mankind is the current research focus of phylogenetics and evolutionary biology.