'Homo' is the only primate whose tooth size decreases as its brain size increases

[theHandpuppet]

http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2014/04/homo-is-only-primate-whose-tooth-size.html#.U0CPPq_D-M8
'Homo' is the only primate whose tooth size decreases as its brain size increases
Posted by TANN

Andalusian researchers, led by the University of Granada, have discovered a curious characteristic of the members of the human lineage, classed as the genus Homo: they are the only primates where, throughout their 2.5-million year history, the size of their teeth has decreased in tandem with the increase in their brain size.

The key to this phenomenon, which scientists call "evolutionary paradox," could be in how Homo's diet has evolved. Digestion starts first in the mouth and, so, teeth are essential in breaking food down into smaller pieces. Therefore, the normal scenario would be that, if the brain grows in size, and, hence, the body's metabolic needs, so should teeth.

However, in the case of Homo, this has not been the case, according to scientists in an article recently published in the journal BioMed Research International. The main author of the study, researcher Juan Manuel Jimenez Arenas, from the University of Granada's Department of Pre-History and Archaeology, points out that, "This means that significant changes must have occurred in order to maintain this trend."

A change in diet, incorporating a higher amount of animal food, must have been one of the keys to this phenomenon. The quality leap in Homo's diet, through a greater intake in animal proteins, fats and certain olio-elements, is essential for a correct working and maintenance of the brain. On a similar note, a larger brain allows greater social and cultural development, which, at that time, led to the achievement of important technological innovations.... MORE

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I may be waaay off base here, and most likely am, but...

It seems to be that we used our larger brains to figure out better ways to break up our food than by just biting it.

[Victor_c3]

2. Exactly what I was thinking

Think about how much learning how to cook our food with fire has helped us. Large pieces of meat that you'd need well developed teeth to chomp can be much more easily shredded after it has been cooked (not to mention the use of tools like knives and such).