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Evolution and Function of Dinosaur Teeth at Ultramicrostructural Level Revealed Using Synchrotron Transmission X-ray
Chun-Chieh Wang1, Yen-Fang Song1, Sheng-Rong Song2
1National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 30076 Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Scientific Reports
|October 30, 2015
Summary
Dinosaur tooth structure reveals evolutionary differences between saurischian and ornithischian lineages. The primitive three-tissue composition in saurischians, including mantle dentin, contrasts with its reduction in ornithischians, impacting dental development and function.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Tooth form and diet are key in vertebrate evolution, but internal tooth structure also dictates mechanical properties.
- Understanding dinosaur dental microstructures provides insights into their evolutionary adaptations and feeding strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the internal microstructures of dinosaur teeth using synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy.
- To compare dental developmental strategies between saurischian and ornithischian dinosaurs within a phylogenetic context.
- To analyze the functional significance of mantle dentin in dinosaur teeth using finite-element analysis.
Main Methods:
- Synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy was employed to examine internal tooth microstructures.
- Phylogenetic framework was used to analyze evolutionary patterns in dental tissues.
- Finite-element analysis was utilized to assess the protective functions of mantle dentin.
Main Results:
- Saurischian teeth exhibit a primitive three-tissue composition (enamel-mantle dentin-bulk dentin) near the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ).
- Derived ornithischian teeth show greatly reduced or absent mantle dentin at the DEJ, a significant difference from saurischians.
- Mantle dentin's presence in herbivorous sauropods (saurischians) suggests retained primitive traits, while its absence in ornithischians may relate to enamel modifications.
Conclusions:
- Internal tooth microstructure, particularly mantle dentin, reflects distinct dental developmental strategies between saurischia and ornithischia.
- The reduction or absence of mantle dentin in ornithischians is a key evolutionary divergence, potentially linked to herbivory and enamel changes.
- Mantle dentin likely provided a protective function in primitive dinosaur teeth, with its evolutionary loss in ornithischians representing a significant adaptation.
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