Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 1985, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (02): 97-104.

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Occusal relationships between canine and premolar of Gigantopithecus Blacki

Zhang Yinyun   

  • Online:1985-06-15 Published:1985-06-15

Abstract: Based on an observation on the wear of 45 P3s and 19 C's, three patterns could be classified in occlusal relationships between C'and P3 of Gigantopithecus blacki: "hominid'", "pongid'"and intermediate.
The "hominid" and "pongid"patterns could be seen in most cases (44% and 42% respectively as shown in Pas) and were suggested to be due to female and male sexes. The intermediate pattern was found in a few cases including both sexes. It would therefore seem improper to use the occlusal relationships for taxonomie purpose without taking sex into account.
The male canines do not wear down flat from the tip of the crown. Their shearing against the Ps can be maintained with age. It seems to be questionable that the canines of Gigantopithecus were used for grinding. In addition, the observation showed that the appearance of bicusps in P: was not directly related to the reduction of canine for Gigantopithecus.

Key words: Gigantopithecus; Occlusal relation ship