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Exponentially decreasing tooth growth rate in horse teeth: implications for isotopic analyses
Author(s) -
Bendrey R.,
Vella D.,
Zazzo A.,
Balasse M.,
Lepetz S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12151
Subject(s) - enamel paint , tooth enamel , exponential growth , growth rate , ungulate , apposition , constant (computer programming) , geology , mineralogy , biology , mathematics , materials science , geometry , anatomy , ecology , computer science , composite material , mathematical analysis , habitat , programming language
A range of archaeological and palaeoclimatic studies use isotopic analyses of ungulate hypsodont tooth enamel. Such studies commonly assume a constant growth rate, though this has not been fully tested. Here, we use stable isotope analyses of sequential enamel samples to study horse tooth growth. We fit the data using models corresponding to constant and exponentially decreasing rates of growth, and compare the results to metrical data showing the geometry and timing of apposition. The results indicate enamel apposition and maturation advances at an exponentially decreasing rate. An understanding of this variable growth rate is crucial for interpreting isotopic data from equid teeth.