Differences and Similarities: Comparative Methods in Mastication

Comparison is the key to biological study and both similaritiesand differences aid in sharpening our understanding of structuresand processes. The initial comparison represents an observationallevel; followed by decisions aboutpossible homology, analogyand homoplasy which represent levels that have less certainty.Analogous homoplasies are presumably the most useful conditionsfor characterizing functional constraints. Operational criteriaare discussed, as are minimal technical standards for procedurespermitting characterization of functions and roles in the masticatorysystem.