Movement adds bite to the evolutionary morphology of mammalian teeth

Movement adds bite to the evolutionary morphology of mammalian teeth

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Selection and constraints put limits on morphological evolution. Mammalian teeth are no exception, and the need for them to meet precisely exerts exacting constraints on a staggering array of developmental and functional factors that must be integrated to maintai...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: David Polly P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-08-01
Series:BMC Biology
Subjects:
dental occlusion
evolutionary constraints
morphological integration
complexity
orientation patch counts
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/10/69
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Selection and constraints put limits on morphological evolution. Mammalian teeth are no exception, and the need for them to meet precisely exerts exacting constraints on a staggering array of developmental and functional factors that must be integrated to maintain their performance as they evolve. A study in <it>BMC Evolutionary Biology </it>demonstrates that mandibular movement is an important component of this integration, and one that should not be neglected in the quantitiative study of the evolution of tooth morphology.</p> <p>See research article <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/12/146/</url></p>
ISSN:1741-7007

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