Human remains from the artificial cave of São Pedro do Estoril II (Cascais, Portugal)

Abstract The present paper gives the results of the anthropological study of the human remains from the artificial cave of So Pedro do Estoril II (2300–2500 B.C.). These chalcolithic remains were fragmentary and incomplete, which made their analysis difficult

Sensory lines and rostral skull bones in lungfish of the family Neoceratodontidae (Osteichthyes: Dipnoi)

Skull bones in early lungfish contain permanent insignia of the sensory lines of the head, but osteological evidence of sensory lines in derived lungfish is reduced to foramina for nerves to neuromasts, superficial grooves, or elevated ridges on some bones. This is particularly evident in anterior bones, making definition of these bones difficult, and creating problems for phylogenetic analyses. Despite a close association of the sensory lines with the bones of the developing skull in the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, few traces of the lines remain in the bones of the adult animal. Among derived dipnoans, Mioceratodus, a genus of neoceratodont fossil lungfish from Tertiary deposits in central and northern Australia, is unusual because traces of the supraorbital sensory line are retained in the anterior skull roofing bones of large specimens. Equivalent traces are absent from the rostral bones of N. forsteri, and from small specimens of Mioceratodus. The supraorbital sensory line grooves in Mioceratodus bones pass over the posterior surface of the rostral bone, and not the anterior process as in Neoceratodus. The rostral bones of Mioceratodus may be formed from the fusion of different bones in the primitive dipnoan skull compared with those that formed the rostral (EQ) bone of N. forsteri. Alternatively, the association between sensory lines and skull bones may not be constant

‘As good as chocolate’ and ‘better than ice cream’: how toddler, and older, breastfeeders experience breastfeeding

The breastfeeding experiences of 114 Australian children who were currently breastfeeding were explored via maternal observation and direct questioning of the children. Mothers commonly stated that their child breastfed for comfort and this opinion was validated by observations of when the children breastfed, which was often in the transition to sleep or when the child was upset. Children stated that they liked breastfeeding and that they felt happy, good or nice when they breastfed. Children expressed that they liked the taste of breastmilk and compared the flavour to a wide variety of foods. Conversations with the children revealed that they had learnt significant information about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding role‐play was often involved in this learning and it is proposed that this learning should be valued. This study is the first examination of breastfeeding from the viewpoint of children, who are the actual breastfeeders, and provides insight into their practices and motivations