Lab #8: Mammalian Dentition Flashcards
(17 cards)
Animal dentition varies widely on …. and …
diet, feeding behaviour
-> teeth are adapted for grasping, tearing, grinding…
-> as such, tooth form can reveal whether an animal is a carnivore/herbivore/omnivore
Teeth have 2 elements, what are they?
CROWN and ROOTS
Crown are coated with…
-> Coated with hard and glossy ENAMEL
The inner core of both crown and roots is constructed of …
DENTINE
Almost all mammals have 2 dentitions, what are they?
(1) DECIDUOUS dentition when they’re young
(2) PERMANENT dentition when mature
Carnivore dentition characteristics (3)
(1) Canines are sharp and pointed for seizing and puncturing prey
(2) Incisors are small and used for grooming (toilettage) or nibbling (grignotage)
(3) Molars = more flattened and capable of some grinding
Marine carnivore dentition characteristics
(1) Little differentiation between
molars and premolars -> Adapted for gripping fish => considered POST-CANINE teeth
Herbivore dentition characteristics
(1) Lack upper incisors
(2) Premolars and molars are large and ridged (ideal for grinding fibrous plant material) + have high crowns and complex surfaces (well-suited to process coarse vegetation); wear down slowly over time
Prototype of dental formulae
i …/… c …/… p …/… m …/…
i = incisive
c = canines
p = premolars
m = molars
…/… = upper/lower
Teeth in each class are numbered from the …. to ….
most medial (center of jaw) to most distal (back of jaw)
(tu commences à compter à partir du milieu)
Cervidae (caribou, deer) dental formulae
i 0/3 c 0/1 p 3/3 m 3/3
Canid dental formulae
i 3/3 c 1/1 p 4/4 m 2/3
Seal dental formulae
i 3/2 c 1/1 pc (post-canine) 5/5
If very young caribou that has a deciduous p4, what age
Less than 2yo (24mo)
Full permanent dentition in a caribou occurs at around … months
29 months
-> these teeth show little to no wear
Between 3 to 10 years, how does the caribou teeth look like
Teeth worn down due to attrition from chewing abrasive materials
Caribou lifespan = … years
10
