Extended Data Fig. 3: MLP-3000-1 lower left molar crown.
From: Afar fossil shows broad distribution and versatility of Paranthropus
a-i, M, mesial; D, distal; B, buccal; L, lingual; pr, protoconid; me, metaconid; en, entoconid; hy, hypoconid; hu, hypoconulid. Scale bar of 5 mm applies to all images a. CT-based 3D visualization in occlusal view with enamel shown in grey, exposed dentine in brown, and a matrix-filled crack in off-white. b, CT section through the roof of the pulp cavity. The latter is matrix-filled and shown in light grey. c, CT slice of the left M1 of mandible KNM-WT 16005 (Paranthropus aethiopicus), equivalent to b and showing the full roof topography reflecting the cuspal arrangement. d, mesiodistal CT section through the dentine horns of the metaconid and entoconid. e, Buccolingual CT section through the dentine horns of the protoconid and metaconid. f-I, Buccal part of the protoconid as shown in e, with reconstructed enamel shown by the yellow line. f, Showing light occlusal wear and surface weathering of the buccal face. g, As f, but with stronger occlusal wear. h, With occlusal wear and buccal erosion to provide relative enamel thickness equivalent to the thinnest enamel known for P. aethiopicus lower molars. i, As h, but equivalent to the thinnest enamel known for P. boisei and P. robustus lower molars.
