Palatal allometry of cercopithecines and hominoids

Palate morphology influences mechanical environment since it affects load distribution. Body size also necessarily influences palate morphology, but what is the general effect of body size on palate size and shape? Palatal and facial dimensions from 23 species of cercopithecines and hominoids were measured and then subjected to allometric scaling analysis. Facial measurements were used as a proxy for body size since weight was unknown for these specimens. For the analysis, the species were grouped phylogenetically. Using skull length as the size proxy resulted in papionins and colobines having palatal dimensions disproportionate at larger body sizes given the results of positive allometry. Therefore their palates increased in size disproportionately to their skull. Some palatal dimensions of the hominoids also increased disproportionately compared to facial or skull size while others were proportionate. The phylogenetic groups scaled idiosyncratically, so there does not seem to be a general “anthropoid” scaling pattern based on the palate. Many species showed positive allometry for several palatal dimensions indicating the palates are increasing disproportionately to skull and facial size. However this statement must be made with caution since the facial dimension used as a size proxy affected the outcome of the results. Grant Funding Source : None