The killer’s toolkit: remarkable adaptations in the canine teeth of mammalian carnivores

• Published in: Zoological journal of the Linnean Society Vol. 196; no. 3; pp. 1138 - 1155
• Main Authors: Pollock, Tahlia I, Hocking, David P, Evans, Alistair R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: UK Oxford University Press 02.11.2022
• Subjects: Carnivora; functional morphology; feeding adaptation; feeding behaviour; tooth morphology; morphological comparison

Abstract Often the first point of contact between predator and prey, mammalian canine teeth are essential for killing, dismembering and consuming prey. Yet despite their importance, few associations among shape, function and phylogeny are established. We undertook the first comprehensive analysis of...