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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology

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Grand Challenges in Comparative Tooth Biology.

C Darrin Hulsey¹, Karly E Cohen², Zerina Johanson³

¹Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, 78464, Germany.

Integrative and Comparative Biology

|June 14, 2020

Summary

Teeth offer a unique model for studying evolution and development. New technologies reveal conserved and novel mechanisms driving vertebrate dental diversity, including soft tissues and non-trophic functions.

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Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Evolutionary biology
Comparative genomics

Background:

Teeth serve as a valuable model system for integrating developmental genomics, functional morphology, and evolutionary studies.
Significant advancements in technology and methodology are enabling deeper investigations into comparative tooth biology.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline tractable research directions in comparative tooth biology.
To highlight novel mechanisms of vertebrate dental diversification.
To explore the diversity of soft tissues, replacement teeth, and non-trophic functions.

Main Methods:

Leveraging technological advances in developmental genomics.
Employing functional morphology approaches.
Analyzing emerging model organisms for evolutionary insights.

Main Results:

Identification of conserved and novel mechanisms in vertebrate dental development.
New insights into dental diversity through the study of soft tissues and replacement teeth.
Understanding the role of non-trophic functions in shaping tooth diversity.

Conclusions:

Comparative tooth biology is entering an exciting new era of research.
Technological progress is key to uncovering mechanisms of dental diversification.
Emerging model organisms are crucial for advancing our understanding of tooth evolution.