Toothcomb
Dental structure in some mammals
| Toothcomb | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | ' |
A toothcomb is a dental structure found in some mammals, particularly within the suborder Strepsirrhini of the order Primates. This specialized structure is formed by the forward extension and elongation of the lower incisors and canines, which are closely spaced and tilted forward to create a comb-like arrangement.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The toothcomb typically consists of six teeth: four incisors and two canines. These teeth are elongated and closely packed together, forming a structure that resembles a comb. The toothcomb is used primarily for grooming and feeding.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the toothcomb is for grooming. Strepsirrhine primates use their toothcombs to remove parasites and debris from their fur. Additionally, the toothcomb can be used for feeding, particularly in scraping gum and other substances from trees.
Evolution[edit | edit source]
The evolution of the toothcomb is a significant adaptation in strepsirrhine primates. It is believed to have evolved to aid in grooming, which is essential for maintaining social bonds and hygiene within these species. The presence of a toothcomb is one of the distinguishing features of the Strepsirrhini suborder, which includes lemurs, lorises, and galagos.
Taxonomic Distribution[edit | edit source]
The toothcomb is found in several families within the suborder Strepsirrhini:
- Lemuridae - This family includes lemurs, which are native to Madagascar.
- Lorisidae - This family includes lorises and pottos, which are found in Africa and Asia.
- Galagidae - This family includes galagos, also known as bush babies, which are native to Africa.
Comparison with Other Dental Structures[edit | edit source]
The toothcomb is unique to strepsirrhine primates and is not found in other primate groups such as the Haplorhini, which includes monkeys, apes, and humans. The dental structure of haplorhine primates is more generalized and lacks the specialized comb-like arrangement.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
