Discriminant Function Analysis based on landmarks data (A) and associated cranial shapes (B).

<p>A) Crosses indicate centroïds of each a priori sample. Triangles = modern humans (1–10: Holocene specimens with indication of sex when known, labeled: fossil specimens); circles = Neanderthals; squares = <i>H. heidelbergensis</i> sample; diamond = Mezzena included a posteriori in the analysis. Labels descriptions are provided in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0059781#pone-0059781-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>. B) The configuration of landmarks is indicated by circles superimposed on views of the Mezzena mandible (full, visible landmarks; empty, landmarks non visible in the current view); shapes in <i>norma lateralis</i>(upper left), <i>norma verticalis</i>(lower left) and <i>norma facialis</i>(right) are portrayed for the extremities of each axis (full lines, shape change; dashed lines, consensus). Modern humans, Neanderthals and middle Pleistocene specimens are discriminated on Function 1. Function 2 mostly shows intra-group morphological variation. The architectural shape of Mezzena is closer to modern human specimens, particularly to Abri Pataud 1. Mezzena’s shape shows also strong similarities with Neanderthals, especially late Neanderthals (e.g. La Ferrassie 1, Spy 1).