Document Detail


Convergent dental adaptations in pseudo-tribosphenic and tribosphenic mammals.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17972884     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Tribosphenic molars of basal marsupials and placentals are a major adaptation, with the protocone (pestle) of the upper molar crushing and grinding in the talonid basin (mortar) on the lower molar. The extinct pseudo-tribosphenic mammals have a reversed tribosphenic molar in which a pseudo-talonid is anterior to the trigonid, to receive the pseudo-protocone of the upper molar. The pseudo-protocone is analogous to the protocone, but the anteriorly placed pseudo-talonid is opposite to the posterior talonid basin of true tribosphenic mammals. Here we describe a mammal of the Middle Jurassic period with highly derived pseudo-tribosphenic molars but predominantly primitive mandibular and skeletal features, and place it in a basal position in mammal phylogeny. Its shoulder girdle and limbs show fossorial features similar to those of mammaliaforms and monotremes, but different compared with those of the earliest-known Laurasian tribosphenic (boreosphenid) mammals. The find reveals a much greater range of dental evolution in Mesozoic mammals than in their extant descendants, and strengthens the hypothesis of homoplasy of 'tribosphenic-like' molars among mammals.
Authors:
Zhe-Xi Luo; Qiang Ji; Chong-Xi Yuan
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Nature     Volume:  450     ISSN:  1476-4687     ISO Abbreviation:  Nature     Publication Date:  2007 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-11-01     Completed Date:  2007-11-28     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0410462     Medline TA:  Nature     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  93-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. luoz@carnegiemnh.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
China
Evolution*
Fossils*
History, Ancient
Mammals / anatomy & histology*
Mandible / anatomy & histology
Molar / anatomy & histology*
Phylogeny
Skeleton

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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