Age‐related changes in molar topography and shearing crest length in a wild population of mountain Gorillas from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Mountain gorillas, unlike other folivorous primates, do not experience dental senescence despite their long lifespans and mechanically challenging diets. A study analyzing molar topography and shearing crest length in a wild population from Virunga National Park found that while occlusal topography decreases with age, the relative length of shearing crests is maintained or even increases, preserving their shearing function over 40+ years. Researchers used high-resolution dental replicas and advanced topographic analyses to track changes in occlusal slope, angularity, relief index, and orientation patch count, as well as 2D and 3D shearing crest lengths across a range of ages (4–43 years). This suggests that mountain gorillas have evolved unique dental adaptations to maintain functionality, contrasting with the dental decline observed in other folivorous primates.

Glowacka, H., McFarlin, S. C., Catlett, K. K., Mudakikwa, A., Bromage, T. G., Cranfield, M. R., Stoinski, T. S., & Schwartz, G. T. (2016). Age‐related changes in molar topography and shearing crest length in a wild population of mountain Gorillas from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 160(1), 3–15. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22943