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Multiple evolutionary origins and losses of tooth complexity in squamates
Fabien Lafuma1, Ian J Corfe2,3, Julien Clavel4,5
1Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland. fabien.lafuma@gmail.com.
Nature Communications
|October 15, 2021
Summary
Squamates, like mammals, evolved complex teeth for diet but with greater flexibility. This tooth evolution, particularly in squamates, influenced speciation rates and vertebrate dietary adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Paleontology
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Teeth are crucial for vertebrate feeding and evolution.
- Mammalian dental evolution shows complexity increase via cusp addition.
- Mammal-only studies limit understanding of conserved vertebrate dental patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate tooth complexity evolution across vertebrate history.
- Compare dental evolution flexibility between mammals and squamates.
- Analyze the link between tooth complexity, diet, and speciation in squamates.
Main Methods:
- Morphometric analysis of fossil and extant squamate teeth.
- Phylogenetic comparative methods.
- Reconstruction of evolutionary history of tooth complexity.
Main Results:
- Squamates independently evolved complex teeth over 20 times since the Late Jurassic.
- Squamates exhibit high flexibility in tooth complexity, including cusp loss and varied morphologies.
- Tooth complexity in squamates correlated with plant consumption, driving speciation.
Conclusions:
- Tooth complexity is a key driver of vertebrate evolution beyond mammals.
- Squamates demonstrate a more adaptable system of dental-dietary evolution compared to mammals.
- Understanding squamate dental evolution provides insights into broader vertebrate evolutionary patterns.
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