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Anatomy of the facial musculature in two diurnal anthropoid primates: exploring the relationship between facial mobility and the muscles of facial expression
Author(s) -
Kandath Rachael E,
Muldoon Kathleen M,
Dobson Seth D
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.449.5
Subject(s) - primate , facial muscles , facial expression , galago , biology , callithrix , anatomy , neuroscience , psychology , communication
Recent anatomical research suggests a pattern of uniformity in the muscles of facial expression across several primate species. This pattern appears to conflict with the observed diversity in facial mobility (the number of facial movements an individual can produce) among primate species. Exploring the potential disparity between uniformity of facial expression musculature and diversity of facial movements requires further expansion of the existing anatomical data on primate facial muscles. In this study, we examined the facial musculature of 2 species of diurnal anthropoid primates: Macaca mulatta (high facial mobility) and the previously unexamined Callithrix jacchus (low facial mobility). Using the ‘facial mask’ dissection technique, we determined the number (presence or absence) and degree of differentiation of the facial muscles in each species. We identified at least 18 highly differentiated muscles in Macaca as compared to 6 muscles with less differentiation in Callithrix . Our results indicate some degree of correspondence between facial expression musculature and facial mobility, and as such have implications for the role of these two variables in the evolution of primate social communication. This study was funded by the Claire Garber Goodman Fund to REK.Grant Funding Source : Claire Garber Goodman Fund (Anthropology Department)