BRIEF COMMUNICATION - SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ENAMEL THICKNESS AND ENAMEL PRISM PACKING IN THE MIOCENE HOMINOID OTAVIPITHECUS-NAMIBIENSIS

Otavipithecus namibiensis is currently the sole representative of a Mi ocene hominoid radiation in subequatorial Africa. Several nondestructi ve techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and confocal microscop y (CFM), can provide useful information about dental characteristics i n this southern African Miocene hominoid. Our studies suggest that the molars of Otavipithecus are characterized by (1) thin enamel and (2) a predominance of pattern 1 enamel prism. Together, these findings pro vide little support for the recent suggestion of an Afropithecini clad e consisting of Otavipithecus, Heliopithecus, and Afropithecus. Instea d, they lend some (though not conclusive) support to the suggestion of an Otavipithecus/African ape clade distinct from Afropithecus. (C) 19 95 Wiley-Liss, Inc.