Elemental models of primate nursing and weaning revisited

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Objectives

Intra‐tooth patterns of trace elements barium (Ba) and strontium (Sr) have been used to infer human and nonhuman primate nursing histories, including australopithecine and Neanderthal juveniles. Here, we contrast the two elemental models in first molars (M1s) of four wild baboons and explore the assumptions that underlie each.

Materials and Methods

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) was employed to create comprehensive calcium‐normalized barium and strontium (Ba/Ca, Sr/Ca) maps of M1 enamel and dentine at 35 micron resolution.

Results

Postnatal Ba/Ca values were typically high, peaking ~0.5 years of age and then decreasing throughout M1 crown formation; all four individuals showed minimal Ba/Ca values betwe

SUBMITTER: Smith T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10099337 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature