Date of Graduation

7-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Anthropology (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Anthropology

Advisor/Mentor

Terhune, Claire

Committee Member

Paul, Kathleen

Second Committee Member

Delezene, Lucas

Keywords

Capuchins; Diet; Geometric Morphometrics; Hard Palate; Morphology; Ontogeny

Abstract

ABSTRACT Craniofacial variation and its relation to diet have been widely examined, but with less attention exclusively to the palate. Previous studies have shown that groups consuming a more resistant diet exhibit morphological differences in the craniofacial skeleton, including a longer and wider palate when compared to groups consuming a less resistant diet; similar patterns have been observed among captive vs. wild populations. Here, I present a 3D morphometric analysis of palatal ontogeny in tufted (Sapajus spp.) and untufted (Cebus spp.) capuchins and compare captive vs. free-ranging semi-provisioned Sapajus. Tufted capuchins are known to consume more mechanically resistant foods compared to untufted capuchins. Likewise, the semi-provisioned Sapajus likely ate more resistant foods compared to the captive population. Materials and methods: This study used microCT scans of an ontogenetic sample of 63 capuchins of both captive (Sapajus=32, Cebus=20) and semi-provisioned (Sapajus = 11) populations. Age categories were based on tooth eruption and occlusion. Landmarks were placed on surface models created in Avizo and used to assess shape differences. Geometric morphometric methods and ANOVAs were performed to assess differences between and within genera and age categories. Multivariate regressions along with permutation tests were performed for each comparison to assess allometric ontogenetic trajectories differences. Results: Sapajus and Cebus palatal morphology differed in all stages of ontogeny, but ontogenetic trajectories were not significantly different. Captive and semi-provisioned Sapajus differed significantly only early in ontogeny (i.e., infants) and also did not differ significantly in their ontogenetic trajectory. In both cases, the group determined as the more mechanically challenging feeder exhibited a narrower and shorter palate. Discussion: These findings are not consistent with studies that suggest groups consuming more resistant diets exhibit a longer and wider palate. However, it is consistent with studies that suggest groups consuming a more resistant diet will exhibit craniofacial morphology better equipped for generating high bite forces. This study advances our knowledge of differences in palatal morphology and masticatory function between two closely related species throughout ontogeny as well as in captive and wild comparisons.

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