Angela M Mallard | University of Tennessee Knoxville (original) (raw)
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Papers by Angela M Mallard
The Anatomical Record, 2017
Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth cana... more Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic. Studies also suggest that females with younger ages-at-death have narrower canal dimensions than those who die at older ages, possibly due to continued independent growth of the pubis. A recent examination of this pattern argued that it is unlikely that these differences relate to mortality, but the source of the difference in pelvic dimensions with age remains unresolved. We use pelvic dimensions to assess differences in magnitudes of morphological integration between adult females and males across ages-at-death. We first ascertain whether the sexes have different strengths of integration, and then assess if differences in magnitudes of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated. Females and males have similar magnitudes of integration, and there is no change in the strength of integration with age. Examining individual regions of the pelvis indicates that the ilium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet have stronger integration than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet, which demonstrated the strongest integration. Our findings suggest that regions of the pelvis are more strongly integrated internally, and less integrated with each other, which would allow for proportional growth among regions of the pelvis with age that do not affect its overall integration. No single region of the pelvis appears to be motivating the difference in pelvic dimensions between age groups. We further consider the implications of these findings on evolutionary constraints.
Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions , especially of the birth can... more Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions , especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic. Studies also suggest that females with younger ages-at-death have narrower canal dimensions than those who die at older ages, possibly due to continued independent growth of the pubis. A recent examination of this pattern argued that it is unlikely that these differences relate to mortality, but the source of the difference in pelvic dimensions with age remains unre-solved. We use pelvic dimensions to assess differences in magnitudes of morphological integration between adult females and males across ages-at-death. We first ascertain whether the sexes have different strengths of integration, and then assess if differences in magnitudes of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated. Females and males have similar magnitudes of integration, and there is no change in the strength of integration with age. Examining individual regions of the pelvis indicates that the ilium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet have stronger integration than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet, which demonstrated the strongest integration. Our findings suggest that regions of the pelvis are more strongly integrated internally, and less integrated with each other, which would allow for proportional growth among regions of the pelvis with age that do not affect its overall integration. No single region of the pelvis appears to be motivating the difference in pelvic dimensions between age groups. We further consider the implications of these findings on evolutionary constraints. Anat Rec, 300:666–674, 2017. V C 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geo... more Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geographic outlier, located at the far eastern edge of Puebloan occupation but still affiliated with the Pueblo. The biological affinity of its residents, however, was not known, as Plains sites have also been recovered very near to Tecolote. Using the dentitions recovered from the site, a dental anthropological approach was used to determine whether the residents’ biological affinity was closer to Puebloan or Plains groups. Dental nonmetric traits were recorded using ASUDAS (Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) standards and compared statistically using the Mean Measure of Divergence and nonstatistically using Turner’s expression count method. Results from both methods indicate that Tecolote Pueblo is more closely related to Puebloan than Plains groups. This result supports the results of a previous study based on cranial metric traits that Tecolote Pueblo was slightly, but not significantly, more closely related to the Pueblo. However, multidimensional scaling shows that Tecolote does not fall neatly into the Puebloan group and may be biologically different due to genetic drift.
Analysis of faunal remains and butchering modifications from Mission San Xavier del Bac shows tha... more Analysis of faunal remains and butchering modifications from Mission San Xavier del Bac shows that, while more standardized Spanish butchering practices had infiltrated the way of life in the PimerÌa Alta region and domesticated animals comprised a significant percentage of the assemblage, missionaries were not entirely successful in their efforts to replace hunting with animal husbandry. An analysis of butchering shows that the mission played a vital economic role in addition to its religious function, suggesting institutional self-sufficiency and an essential responsibility to produce for the surrounding community.
Conference Presentations by Angela M Mallard
Modern human pelvic form is thought to have evolved as a compromise between biomechanical, thermo... more Modern human pelvic form is thought to have evolved as a compromise between biomechanical, thermoregulatory, and obstetric selective pressures. Given the unique human parturition process, the influence of obstetric sufficiency on pelvic evolution is of particular interest. Considerable research has shown that pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic and that dimensions of the pelvic inlet and outlet tend to be significantly smaller in females with a younger age-at-death. Researchers hypothesized that this difference reflects higher covariances among dimensions in females than males. Differences in the relative patterns of covariance between ages-at-death in females may provide evidence for the etiology of narrower pelvic canal sizes in younger individuals. We examine the patterns of covariance in pelvic dimensions between adult females and males across ages-at-death to assess differences in morphological integration. Using a geometric morphometric approach, we assess whether females exhibit more integration than males, and if differences in magnitudes and patterns of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated and female groups were nearly identical in integration regardless of age. The ilium, ischium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet were more individually integrated than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet , which demonstrated the highest integration in every group except older males. Our findings suggest that differences in these dimensions may not reflect response to selection related to obstetric dimensions, but rather continued proportional growth among regions of the pelvis that do not affect its overall integration.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geo... more Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geographic outlier, located at the far eastern edge of Puebloan occupation but still affiliated with the Pueblo. The biological affinity of its residents, however, was not known, as Plains sites have also been recovered very near to Tecolote. Using the dentitions recovered from the site, a dental anthropological approach was used to determine whether the residents' biological affinity was closer to Puebloan or Plains groups. Dental nonmetric traits were recorded using ASUDAS (Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) standards and compared statistically using the Mean Measure of Divergence and nonstatistically using Turner's expression count method. Results from both methods indicate that Tecolote Pueblo is more closely related to Puebloan than Plains groups. This result supports the results of a previous study based on cranial metric traits that Tecolote Pueblo was slightly, but not significantly, more closely related to the Pueblo. However, multidimensional scaling shows that Tecolote does not fall neatly into the Puebloan group and may be biologically different due to genetic drift.
The Anatomical Record, 2017
Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth cana... more Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic. Studies also suggest that females with younger ages-at-death have narrower canal dimensions than those who die at older ages, possibly due to continued independent growth of the pubis. A recent examination of this pattern argued that it is unlikely that these differences relate to mortality, but the source of the difference in pelvic dimensions with age remains unresolved. We use pelvic dimensions to assess differences in magnitudes of morphological integration between adult females and males across ages-at-death. We first ascertain whether the sexes have different strengths of integration, and then assess if differences in magnitudes of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated. Females and males have similar magnitudes of integration, and there is no change in the strength of integration with age. Examining individual regions of the pelvis indicates that the ilium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet have stronger integration than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet, which demonstrated the strongest integration. Our findings suggest that regions of the pelvis are more strongly integrated internally, and less integrated with each other, which would allow for proportional growth among regions of the pelvis with age that do not affect its overall integration. No single region of the pelvis appears to be motivating the difference in pelvic dimensions between age groups. We further consider the implications of these findings on evolutionary constraints.
Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions , especially of the birth can... more Considerable research has shown that modern human pelvic dimensions , especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic. Studies also suggest that females with younger ages-at-death have narrower canal dimensions than those who die at older ages, possibly due to continued independent growth of the pubis. A recent examination of this pattern argued that it is unlikely that these differences relate to mortality, but the source of the difference in pelvic dimensions with age remains unre-solved. We use pelvic dimensions to assess differences in magnitudes of morphological integration between adult females and males across ages-at-death. We first ascertain whether the sexes have different strengths of integration, and then assess if differences in magnitudes of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated. Females and males have similar magnitudes of integration, and there is no change in the strength of integration with age. Examining individual regions of the pelvis indicates that the ilium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet have stronger integration than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet, which demonstrated the strongest integration. Our findings suggest that regions of the pelvis are more strongly integrated internally, and less integrated with each other, which would allow for proportional growth among regions of the pelvis with age that do not affect its overall integration. No single region of the pelvis appears to be motivating the difference in pelvic dimensions between age groups. We further consider the implications of these findings on evolutionary constraints. Anat Rec, 300:666–674, 2017. V C 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geo... more Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geographic outlier, located at the far eastern edge of Puebloan occupation but still affiliated with the Pueblo. The biological affinity of its residents, however, was not known, as Plains sites have also been recovered very near to Tecolote. Using the dentitions recovered from the site, a dental anthropological approach was used to determine whether the residents’ biological affinity was closer to Puebloan or Plains groups. Dental nonmetric traits were recorded using ASUDAS (Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) standards and compared statistically using the Mean Measure of Divergence and nonstatistically using Turner’s expression count method. Results from both methods indicate that Tecolote Pueblo is more closely related to Puebloan than Plains groups. This result supports the results of a previous study based on cranial metric traits that Tecolote Pueblo was slightly, but not significantly, more closely related to the Pueblo. However, multidimensional scaling shows that Tecolote does not fall neatly into the Puebloan group and may be biologically different due to genetic drift.
Analysis of faunal remains and butchering modifications from Mission San Xavier del Bac shows tha... more Analysis of faunal remains and butchering modifications from Mission San Xavier del Bac shows that, while more standardized Spanish butchering practices had infiltrated the way of life in the PimerÌa Alta region and domesticated animals comprised a significant percentage of the assemblage, missionaries were not entirely successful in their efforts to replace hunting with animal husbandry. An analysis of butchering shows that the mission played a vital economic role in addition to its religious function, suggesting institutional self-sufficiency and an essential responsibility to produce for the surrounding community.
Modern human pelvic form is thought to have evolved as a compromise between biomechanical, thermo... more Modern human pelvic form is thought to have evolved as a compromise between biomechanical, thermoregulatory, and obstetric selective pressures. Given the unique human parturition process, the influence of obstetric sufficiency on pelvic evolution is of particular interest. Considerable research has shown that pelvic dimensions, especially of the birth canal, are sexually dimorphic and that dimensions of the pelvic inlet and outlet tend to be significantly smaller in females with a younger age-at-death. Researchers hypothesized that this difference reflects higher covariances among dimensions in females than males. Differences in the relative patterns of covariance between ages-at-death in females may provide evidence for the etiology of narrower pelvic canal sizes in younger individuals. We examine the patterns of covariance in pelvic dimensions between adult females and males across ages-at-death to assess differences in morphological integration. Using a geometric morphometric approach, we assess whether females exhibit more integration than males, and if differences in magnitudes and patterns of integration are associated with age-at-death. Pelvic dimensions of all groups were moderately integrated and female groups were nearly identical in integration regardless of age. The ilium, ischium, pubis, and pelvic inlet and outlet were more individually integrated than the overall pelvis. This was particularly true of the pelvic outlet , which demonstrated the highest integration in every group except older males. Our findings suggest that differences in these dimensions may not reflect response to selection related to obstetric dimensions, but rather continued proportional growth among regions of the pelvis that do not affect its overall integration.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geo... more Archaeological evidence suggests that Tecolote Pueblo, occupied from A.D. 1050-1300, may be a geographic outlier, located at the far eastern edge of Puebloan occupation but still affiliated with the Pueblo. The biological affinity of its residents, however, was not known, as Plains sites have also been recovered very near to Tecolote. Using the dentitions recovered from the site, a dental anthropological approach was used to determine whether the residents' biological affinity was closer to Puebloan or Plains groups. Dental nonmetric traits were recorded using ASUDAS (Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) standards and compared statistically using the Mean Measure of Divergence and nonstatistically using Turner's expression count method. Results from both methods indicate that Tecolote Pueblo is more closely related to Puebloan than Plains groups. This result supports the results of a previous study based on cranial metric traits that Tecolote Pueblo was slightly, but not significantly, more closely related to the Pueblo. However, multidimensional scaling shows that Tecolote does not fall neatly into the Puebloan group and may be biologically different due to genetic drift.