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Tooth crown morphology in caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)
Marvalee H Wake1, Gloria Z Wurst1
1Department of Zoology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720.
Abstract:
The morphology of tooth crowns is variable inter-specifically among caecilians. Cusp number and shape, crown dimensions, and crown curvature characterize various species and have both functional and phylogenetic implications. Ichthyophis, Uraeotyphlus, Hypogeophis, and Geotrypetes have bicuspid teeth; Dermophis, Gymnopis, Caecilia, and Typhlonectes monocuspid. Crown morphology as revealed by scanning electron microscopy is associated with prey grasping and, in one case, possible specialization of prey type.
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