Cribra Orbitalia: A Non-human Primate Perspective

Cribra orbitalia, a porous lesion involving the orbital roofs, is one of the most-studied skeletal pathologies in bioarchaeology, and yet uncertainty still exists regarding its aetiology and significance. In contrast to the hundreds of reports of cribra orbitalia in human skeletal remains, little is known of this condition in non-human primates. Previously, cribra orbitalia has only been reported in catarrhines, with just two cases in cercopithecoids. To provide a broader, phylogenetic perspective on cribra orbitalia, a sample of primate skeletal material was examined to evaluate the occurrence of this condition. The taxonomically diverse sample consists of 380 non-hominoid (non-ape) modern primates from both wild and captive populations. Cribra orbitalia is present in 16 individuals, including cercopithecines, colobines, platyrrhines and a prosimian, substantially expanding the known taxonomic range of this condition. Modern primates-with their varied habitats, diets, levels of parasitism, etc.-provide a set of natural experiments regarding conditions and physiologies which may influence the aetiology and impact of cribra orbitalia. More generally, it is suggested here that studies of non-human primate skeletal pathologies have the potential for providing significant insight on human paleopathologies. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.