Tag Archives: Hypsodonty

Diversity of hypsodont teeth in mammalian dentitions

Just in case somebody finds this interesting… 🙂

http://www.schweizerbart.de/papers/pala/detail/294/76206

Diversity of hypsodont teeth in mammalian dentitions – construction and
classification

von Koenigswald, Wighart

Palaeontographica Abteilung A Band 294 Lieferung 1-3 (2011)
p. 63-94, published: 8/22/2011
9 figures 3 tables

Abstract

“Hypsodonty, as used here, describes a specific type of tooth with the crown
elongated parallel to the growing axis, a condition which can occur in any
tooth position. Hypsodonty is interpreted as the elongation of specific
ontogenetic phases during tooth development at the cost of all others in a
heterochronic mode. Three parameters are used for differentiation: the
specific elongated ontogenetic phase or phases; the degree of hypsodonty
(increasing hypsodont and euhypsodont); and the kind of abrasion (balanced
wear by an antagonist or free growth). The first parameter is regarded as
the most important one. Although the separation of the four ontogenetic
phases (I – cusps, II – sidewalls, III – dentine surface, and IV –
differentiated roots) is artificial, it allows characterization of the great
diversity of hypsodont teeth in six categories: 1) multicusped hypsodonty
(extended phase I); 2) unicuspid hypsodonty (confluent phases I+II); 3)
sidewall hypsodonty (extended phase II); 4) enamel band hypsodonty (phases
II+III synchronous); 5) partial hypsodonty (phases II+III+IV synchronous);
and 6) dentine hypsodonty (phase III dominant). A synopsis with previously
defined types of hypsodonty is given. The new classification is
comprehensive, opens the view to the construction of hypsodont teeth, and
allows a comparison under evolutionary aspects.”

Too bad that we don’t have rights to download it…

–Mikko

Longer in the tooth, shorter in the record?

Longer in the tooth, shorter in the record? The evolutionary correlates of hypsodonty in Neogene ruminants
P. Raia, F. Carotenuto, J. T. Eronen and M. Fortelius
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0273
Abstract
The acquisition of hypsodont molars is often regarded as a key innovation in the history of ruminant ungulates. Hypsodont ruminants diversified rapidly during the later Neogene, circa 15–2 Myr ago, and came to dominate the ruminant fossil record in terms of species diversity. Here we show that hypsodont clades had higher speciation and diversification rates than other clades. Hypsodont species had, on average, shorter stratigraphic durations, smaller range size and lower occupancy than non-hypsodont species. Within hypsodont clades, some species were very common and acquired large geographical ranges, whereas others were quite rare and geographically limited. We argue that hypsodont clades diversified in an adaptive radiation-like fashion, with species often splitting cladogenetically while still in the expansive phase of their occupancy history.

Lecture by Prof. Wighart v. Koengswald 

Dear Kurténians,

It is my great personal pleasure to announce the Björn Kurtén lecture
by Prof. Wighart v.Koenigswald, Bonn, a personal friend of Björn's and
one of my most inspiring teachers and role models back in my salad
days.

Wighart will speak on Tuesday, June 15, at 15:00 in Lecture Room C108
in the Department of Geosciences and Geography. The title of his talk
is "Three parameters characterizing hypsodonty".

Everybody warmly welcome!

Mikael