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The metaconule: A morphologic and familial analysis of a molar cusp in humans
Author(s) -
Harris Edward F.,
Bailit Howard L.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330530306
Subject(s) - cusp (singularity) , molar , heritability , trait , incidence (geometry) , biology , orthodontics , dentistry , demography , mathematics , evolutionary biology , medicine , geometry , sociology , computer science , programming language
Incidence and size variability of the metaconule, an accessory maxillary molar cusp, is analyzed in a series of 1,217 living Melanesians. The range of morphologic variation is quantified on a six‐grade ordinal scale developed to standardize observations. Total incidence of the metaconule decreases along a mesial‐to‐distal gradient, while mean size and size variability increase from M1 to M3. So, while the trait is less common on distal molars, it is on average larger. Estimation of the additive genetic component is 65% for the first molar but only 15% for the second. Trait incidence and heritability estimates are generally higher for females indicating the need for separate analysis by sex.