关键词: 巨猿;牙齿;釉质发育不全

Abstract: Gigantopithecus teeth, 610 in total, from the cave at Liucheng were examined for evidence of hypoplasia. The teeth were observed under a low-power binocular microscope. The hypoplasia can be found on most types of posterior teeth, including the third molars. A high incidence (14. 3—17. 9%) is shown by a calculation on individual basis. The results suggest that the Gigantopithecus is as susceptible to enamel hypoplasia as australopithecines of South Africa.
Though there are many etiological factors responsible for hypoplasia, malnutrition seems to be a major one in the case of Gigantopithecus. This assumption follows from two facts: a high incidence of dental caries in Gigantopithecus (Woo, 1962) , and the coexistance of Gigantopithecus with Homo erecus (Zhang, 1985) . The facts imply a limitation in food types and a shortage in food sources, and a result in nutrition, malnutrition, could be expected in Gigan*opithecus.

Key words: Gigantopithecus; Tooth; Enamel hypoplasia