• Hn nose: greater ventilatory demands...

    From littoral.homo@gmail.com@21:1/5 to All on Tue Feb 28 02:56:13 2023
    "Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting":
    3 adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Hn face: i) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces,
    ii) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air,
    iii) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. ...
    We apply finite-element analysis FEA & computational fluid dynamics CFD
    (the most comprehensive application of either approach applied to date, the first to include both)
    to 3D models of Hn, Hs & a close outgroup H.heidelbergensis:
    - FEA reveals few differences between H.heid., Hs & Hn in their capacities to sustain high anterior tooth loadings.
    - CFD shows: Hn & Hs nasal cavities condition air more efficiently than H.heid.:
    did Hn & Hs better withstand cold?dry climates than less derived Homo?
    Hn could move considerably more air through the nasal pathway >H.heid., Hs:
    did Hn facial morphology (vs our outgroup Homo) evolve to reflect improved capacities to
    - better condition cold, dry air?
    - move greater air volumes, in response to higher energetic requirements?

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    :-)
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    "Oi, big nose" 2010 New Scientist

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