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Date of Graduation

5-2026

Description

Understanding patterns of skeletal trauma in primates can provide key insights into how a species lived and may reflect aspects of their socioecology and life history. Though some research has examined postcranial trauma in primates, analyses of craniofacial trauma are rare. Here we analyze craniofacial trauma in anthropoid primates with the goal of documenting rates of trauma and their relationships to socioecological factors. Trauma was documented in a total of 1093 specimens from 17 species of primates. For each species, patterns and prevalence of trauma were assessed and z-tests performed to assess sex differences and whether rates differed significantly from zero. Rates across species were then compared to a variety of socioecological factors (e.g., group size, dimorphism, diet, infanticide, etc.) using regression and ANOVA models. Prevalences of trauma in this sample ranged from 0% (Colobus polykomos) to 18% (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Eleven showed non-zero rates of trauma, and only Papio anubis exhibited sex differences. Most lesions were classified as fractures and tended to be located on the mandible or zygomatico-temporal region. Almost all lesions were determined to be moderately or well healed. However, ANOVA and regression models found few significant relationships between trauma and other factors. It was determined that only sexual dimorphism, locomotion and life span have significant impacts on craniofacial trauma in primates. This is the first study that documents rates of trauma in primates broadly across multiple species, and it demonstrates that rates of trauma in primates are highly variable. However, the lack of clear sociological relationships to trauma suggests that these patterns are multifactorial.

Publication Date

2026

Document Type

Book

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Anthropology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Anthropology

Advisor/Mentor

Terhune, Claire

Disciplines

Anthropology

Keywords

Social Science

Primate craniofacial trauma and its relationship to socioecological factors.

Included in

Anthropology Commons

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