Paper short abstract:

We investigated the frequencies of non-metric tooth crown traits in a contemporary and two aboriginal populations in Sri Lanka. 13 traits in 150 dental plaster casts were observed. All the populations showed “Indodont” dental pattern while Veddas showed a genetic drift from the modern Sri Lankans.

Paper long abstract:

This study was conducted to determine the frequencies of non-metric tooth crown traits in a contemporary and two aboriginal Vedda populations (Dambana and Anuradhapura) in Sri Lanka and to investigate the affinities of these morphological variations with those of other world populations. Fifty dental plaster casts from each population were observed. The Arizona State University dental anthropology system was adopted for classification of the 13 traits observed. Affinities among the contemporary and two aboriginal populations of Sri Lanka and other world populations were expressed in two dimensions of the principle coordinate analysis. Cusp number in mandibular second molar and Hypocone absence in maxillary second molar had the highest frequency and Shoveling and Double Shoveling in the maxillary central incisor had the lowest frequency in all three populations. Contemporary Sri Lankans had higher occurrence of Cusp of Carabelli's in maxillary first molar and Deflecting wrinkle in mandibular first molar. Dambana Vedda had higher prevalence of Cusp 7 in mandibular first molar. Anuradhapura Vedda had lower prevalence of Y groove pattern in mandibular second molar, Interruption groove in maxillary lateral incisor and Cusp 6 in mandibular first molar. The principal coordinate analysis showed that the contemporary Sri Lankans, Dambana and Anuradhapura Vedda located with the Western Eurasia population groups. While showing close affinities with early South Asian populations, Dambana and Anuradhapura Veddas were deviating away from the contemporary Sri Lankans in the second principal coordinate axis showing their genetic drift from the modern Sri Lankans.