Primate Craniofacial Function and Biology (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects)

Primate Craniofacial Function and Biology is an integrative volume with broad coverage of current research on primate craniofacial biology and function. Topic headings include: the mammalian perspective on primate craniofacial form and function, allometric and comparative morphological studies of primate heads, in vivo research on primate mastication, modeling of the primate masticatory apparatus, primate dental form and function, and palaeoanthropologic studies of primate skulls.

Additionally, the volume includes introductory chapters discussing how primatologists study adaptations in primates and a discussion of in vivo approaches for studying primate performance. At present, there are no texts with a similar focus on primate craniofacial biology and no sources that approach this topic from such a wide range of research perspectives. This breadth of research covered by leaders in their respective fields make this volume a unique and innovative contribution to biological anthropology.

Primates have unusual heads among mammals. Their big brains, relatively short faces and forward-facing eyes are part of a unique combination of traits that have captured the interest of biological anthropologists for decades. Describing the patterns of primate craniofacial evolution as well as sorting out the functional consequences of this evolutionary history has been fundamental in developing our current understanding of primates. Primate Craniofacial Function and Biology surveys current research on primate heads emphasizing the recent progress and diversity of functional studies into primate and mammalian craniofacial form. Much of the work included in this volume was inspired by William L. Hylander and his life-long contribution to research on primate craniofacial form and function.