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Cusp Number, Occlusal Groove Pattern and Human Taxonomy

Nature volume 210, pages 224–225 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

EVER since Gregory and Hellman, the number of cusps on the molar teeth and the pattern of the occlusal grooves have been used as taxonomic criteria in the assessment of hominid and hominoid remains1,2. Both the number of cusps (4, 5 or 6) and the groove pattern (+ or Y) have been used in the comparison of many recent human populations3–11. The addition of the X groove pattern by Jørgensen in 1955 (ref. 8) completed the series of polymorphisms, giving three groove patterns (+, Y and X) and three or more cusp numbers (4, 5 and 6), or at least nine possible combinations in all. However, it has not been known for certain whether cusp number and groove pattern represent a single pleomorphism or two independent dental polymorphisms8.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Growth and Genetics, Fels Research Institute, Yellow Springs, Ohio

    STANLEY M. GARN, ALBERT A. DAHLBERG, ARTHUR B. LEWIS & ROSE S. KEREWSKY

  2. Zoller Dental Clinic, University of Chicago, Chicago

    ALBERT A. DAHLBERG

Authors
  1. STANLEY M. GARN
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  2. ALBERT A. DAHLBERG
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  3. ARTHUR B. LEWIS
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  4. ROSE S. KEREWSKY
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GARN, S., DAHLBERG, A., LEWIS, A. et al. Cusp Number, Occlusal Groove Pattern and Human Taxonomy. Nature 210, 224–225 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/210224a0

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