A comparative study of stereolithographically modelled skulls of Petralona and Broken Hill: implications for future studies of middle Pleistocene hominid evolution.

Computer generated three-dimensional stereolithographic models of middle Pleistocene skulls from Petralona and Broken Hill are described and compared. The anterior cranial fossae of these models are also compared with that of another middle Pleistocene skull, Arago 21. Stereolithographic modelling reproduces not only the outer surfaces of skulls, but also features within the substance of the bones, and details of the internal braincase. The skulls of Petralona and, to a somewhat lesser degree, Broken Hill are extremely pneumatized. Previously undescribed features associated with pneumatization are detailed, along with their possible functional significance, polarity, and potential for understanding hominid cranial variation. Petralona and Broken Hill also exhibit a dramatic suite of cerebral features that is probably related to extensive pneumatization of the skull, namely frontal lobes that are tilted and located behind rather than over the orbits, laterally flared temporal lobes, marked occipital projection, and basal location of the cerebellum. Comparison of the anterior cranial fossae of Petralona, Broken Hill, and Arago 21 suggests that external resemblance of skulls may not always correlate with endocranial similarity. We believe that stereolithographic reconstructions have the potential for helping to resolve difficult questions about the origins of Neanderthal and anatomically modern people.

Secular change in height in Austria: an effect of population stratification?

The records of height on some 700,000 18-year-old Austrian males, called for examination as to their fitness for conscription, were analysed. The data covered 14 conscription years (1980-93), representing males born in the years 1962-75. The sample covered over 90% of the total male population of those cohorts in Austria. The data were analysed by birth year to show the secular trend in 18-year-old stature and its rate, which overall amounted to 0.53 cm/decade. Analysis by urban-rural residence showed that both participated in the trend, but that the urban-rural differences were appreciably less than the differences between the types of school the young men had attended. The rate of increase over the 14 years was less within each of the eight subgroups (urban-rural, four school categories). It is argued that the secular trend in height that has occurred is largely attributable to the change in social stratification, as evidenced by the changed proportion of subjects who attended schools of different types.

[Morphology of the dorsal boundary of the hard palate in primates]. / Zur Morphologie des dorsalen Randes des harten Gaumens bei Primaten.

A comparison of the dorsal boundary of the hard palate among various primate species reveals three variations of form. The tendency towards intraspecific variation, particularly among the Prosimians and to a lesser degree in Simians, eliminates the possibility of a taxonomic interpretation. Tupaias show morphological characteristics which are considerably different from those of primates. The variation observed in this region is viewed in association with different functional parameters which may depend on the degree of prognathism.

[A new model fo the evaluation of measurements of the neurocranium]. / Ein neuer Ansatz zur metrischen Erfassung des Neurocraniums.

A simple and user-friendly model for trigonometric description of the neurocranium based on newly defined points of measurement is presented. This model not only provides individual description, but also allows for an evaluation of developmental and phylogenetic aspects.

[Light and scanning electron microscopic observations of the long hair of an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) with trisomy 22]. / Licht- und Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Befunde an Langhaaren eines Orang-Utan (Pongo pygmaeus) mit Trisomie 22.

Hair samples of a female orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) suffering from Trisomy 22 and three healthy orang-utans had been investigated in regard of their resilience, colour, medulla, cross sectional view, shaft diameter and cuticula structure. There were no characters noticed concerning the orang's hair with Trisomy only. The remarkable sex-specific differences found out in hair shaft diameters have been interpreted as a manifestation of the considerable sexual-dimorphism in orang-utans. The hair samples of all four individuals contain some with an anomaly of the cuticula-structure, which may be seen as an expression of the not species-specific environment in zoos.