Analytical research on molar morphology of Asian and African fossil primates

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This project aimed to investigate dental morphology of Asian fossil primates, especially the apes, by means of 3-dimensional digital morphological analysis using micro-focus X-ray computed tomographic data. Recently, the specimen number of Gigantopithecus, the extinct large ape from south China, has been greatly increased through the effort of Chinese researchers. These new specimens as well as originally known ones were observed, and some of these were micro-CT scanned. The molars of Gigantopithecus were shown to be thickly-enamelled, especially at around the cuspal region, a pattern somewhat different from that of another thick-enamelled fossil species such as robust Australopithecus.