Toothcomb homology and toothcomb function in extant strepsirhines |
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Authors: | Robert H Eaglen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anthropology, Duke University, 27706 Durham, North Carolina |
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Abstract: | Contrary to some recent assertions, there are no persuasive ways for determining the homologies of indriid toothcomb teeth
and the resulting dental formulas. Most of the presumably distinctive features of procumbent “canines” are also seen in incisors,
and vice versa. Thus, there are at least three plausible dental formulas for indriid deciduous teeth and two for the permanent
dentition. All formulas are compatible with the distribution of teeth in fossil strepsirhines. Similar arguments apply to
strepsirhine toothcombs as a whole, but the absence of three-incisored ancestors in the fossil record strongly supports the
conclusion that the dental formula of nonindriids is 2.1.3.3. for the lower dentition. There are also alternative interpretations
of the original function of the toothcomb. Recent arguments which purport to demonstrate that the toothcomb evolved originally
as a sap-feeding adaptation fail that purpose. The ontogeny of infant lemur behavior suggests that the original function involved
grooming rather than feeding if the data are interpreted in a Haeckelian context. |
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Keywords: | dental homology behavioral development toothcomb strepsirhines |
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