Student: Lynn Lucas
PhD candidate in Anthropology
MA Anthropology, Florida Atlantic University (2007)
BA Anthropology (summa cum laude), Texas Tech University (2002)
Approach: Physical AnthropologyThesis/Dissertation Abstract
Dissertation committee: Mark Spencer (chair), Gary Schwartz, Bill Kimbel
The forces that break down food are a function of both the chewing surface of a particular tooth and of the ability of the masticatory system to generate bite force on that tooth; we therefore expect both to be related to habitual feeding behaviors. This study will evaluate data on tooth morphology in conjunction with models of feeding mechanics to test specific hypotheses about how the masticatory system has responded to dietary pressure over time.
The goal of this research is to determine the functional relationship between bite forces and dental characteristics. Four adaptive hypotheses will be tested using three-dimensional (3D) data from a comparative sample of 23 primate species. Tooth root surface area, crown size, and enamel thickness patterns will be examined in conjunction with calculated bite force patterns to determine the nature of the relationship between dental and facial form.
Conference Papers/Published Articles
Conference Presentations
2009 Lucas, L. Molarization in Extant Primates. Graduates in Earth, Life and Social Sciences (GELSS) conference, Tempe, AZ.
2007 McCarthy, R., Holmes, M., Lucas, L. & K. O’Donnell. Taxonomy of Middle Pleistocene humans: What is Homo heidelbergensis, anyway? American Association of Physical Anthropologists annual meeting.
Conference Posters
2009 Lucas, L., Schwartz, G., & M. Spencer. Molarization in Extant Primates. American Association of Physical Anthropologists annual meeting
2008 Lucas, L. & R. McCarthy. Structural Constraints on Temporalis Size and Shape in Primates and Hominins. American Association of Physical Anthropologists annual meeting.
2007 Lucas, L. & R. McCarthy. Morphological Integration and Temporalis Configuration in Middle Pleistocene hominids. Paleoanthropology Society annual meeting.
2007 McCarthy, R.C., Lucas, L., Holmes, M. & K. O’Donnell. The taxonomic status of early Homo sapiens from Herto, Ethiopia. Paleoanthropology Society annual meeting.
Scholarships/Awards
2010 SHESC Special Research Grant Award ($225)
2010 Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid of Research ($400)