1990/06/01 by Andrew McKenzie · 37 citations
Environmental Science · Psychology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Biology #Prosimian #Incisor #Ruminant #Morphology (biology) #Zoology #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Anatomy #Primate #Pasture
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1990.tb00564.x
published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 99(2), 117-128 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 1990/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
Correlations between dental morphology and dietary preferences in ruminants explain the similarities but not the differences in relative incisor width encountered within the group. Observations on African browsing antelope have revealed extensive use of the lateral anterior dental elements for grooming purposes using a distinctive upward sweeping movement of the head. Inspection of these dental elements (I2, I3) and C) reveals a comb-like array remarkably similar to the prosimian tooth-comb. An hypothesis is presented to explain differences in incisor morphology based on the use of the teeth for purposes other than eating. The alternative biological role has implications for the use of dental characteristics in the determination of the feeding ecology of living and extinct ruminants.