Ashlyn Barton

Author: Ashlyn Barton | Majors: Anthropology and Biology | Semester: Fall 2022

Greetings! My name is Ashlyn Barton, and I am an Anthropology and Biology double major. During the fall semester of 2022, I have been working with Anthropology professor Dr. Claire Terhune to investigate if there is a relationship between Antemortem tooth loss and craniofacial shape in six cercopithecoid primates. Antemortem tooth loss is the occurrence of tooth loss during an individual’s life before death. Variations of food toughness and preparation methods, along with other traumas, can compromise the structural support of the teeth and allow for the primary prevalence of AMTL, along with other pathologies. This research will be the first to directly compare the patterns between tooth loss and cranial shape in multiple primate species. My research on primates may show patterns that can be applied to human craniofacial changes.

My data was comprised of a larger dataset collected as part of a National Science Foundation grant to Drs. Claire Terhune (University of Arkansas), Claire Kirchhoff (Marquette University), and Siobhan Cooke (Johns Hopkins University). Each specimen included has two types of data: information on teeth pathology rates, including antemortem tooth loss, and craniofacial shape in the form of 3D surface models. In my data, I coded for if the tooth was present or not. I then calculated the total number of missing teeth per specimen, the number of teeth lost in each of the four quadrants of the mouth, the number of anterior teeth (incisors/canines) missing, the number of posterior teeth (premolars/molars) missing, the number of missing maxillary teeth, and the number for missing mandibular teeth. I then looked at the 3D landmarks of the cranium and mandible of my specimen. This data was collated with the tooth loss data to look for any possible patterns or correlations within each species (like differences between sex) and then compared between different species in my study.

I found that only 24 individuals of the 301 had evidence of tooth loss and one of the species I was studying did not have any individuals with tooth loss. It was a little deterring to see such low rates of tooth loss and I was worried about my study, but I learned that what we get out of our small sample sizes is what matters. If I found a pattern, then hopefully it could be addressed in a larger experiment. It was a fantastic experience to learn how to navigate such problems and how to reach out to my professors. With my research, I hope to identify any possible patterns, and if there is a set pattern of morphometric change concerning an area of antemortem tooth loss between all six of my primates, then maybe this pattern can be seen in humans. If a pattern is seen in humans, then possibly through orthodontic practices it can be corrected and improve the overall health of humans.

I have worked in Dr. Terhune’s lab since the spring of 2020. It has been an amazing experience to work with Dr. Terhune and create my own experiment. Graduate student, Ashly N. Romero, has been a huge help as well. She always answered any questions I had about the data analysis portion of my results. My fellow undergraduate lab researcher, Amber Cooper, also played a part in helping me during the data analysis portion.

I was able to remotely work on my research. I am planning to present my research at the American Association of Biological Anthropologists in April of 2023. After graduating in the spring of 2023, then I plan on pursuing medicine and attending the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.