Fluctuating Asymmetry of Dental Morphological Traits: New Interpretations

Document Type

Article

Authors

Shelley R. Saunders, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
John T. Mayhall, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

The analysis of the amount of antimere asymmetry for two dental morphological traits, Carabelli’s and protostylid, reveals that it cannot be regarded simply as a monitor of environmental stress. The fluctuating asymmetry noted and the methods used in reporting it suggest that the results are dependent on scoring methods, sample sizes and total trait frequencies. The amount of fluctuating asymmetry also appears to be dependent on the duration of the development of the trait and, generally, increases as one goes distally from the deciduous second molar in the total molar field.

Recommended Citation

Saunders, Shelley R. and Mayhall, John T. (1982) "Fluctuating Asymmetry of Dental Morphological Traits: New Interpretations," Human Biology: Vol. 54: Iss. 4, Article 12.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol54/iss4/12