1. Shrew dentition (Lipotyphla: Soricidae)—endodontic morphology and its phylogenetic resolving power
- Author
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Voyta, Leonid L., Zazhigin, Vladimir S., Petrova, Ekaterina A., and Krjutchkova, Ludmila Yu.
- Abstract
Soricid (Lipotyphla: Soricidae) inner tooth structures have been described for the first time using high-resolution X-ray computed micro-tomography. The endodontic morphology of shrews is complex and according to our results can be used (i) for the description of additional odontological features, (ii) for phylogenetic investigations on a morphological basis, and (iii) for determining the homology of the tooth elements. The results of the original analysis revealed a gradual process of dentine formation and, correspondingly, decreasing pulp volume in immature and mature specimens of Sorex mirabilis. However, analysis of the age-related changes also revealed an irregularity in the dentine deposition within different parts of a pulp cavity. We named this irregularity “selective pulp overgrowth”. This process was confirmed by the analyses of specimens of Sorex minutissimus, Neomys fodiensand Blarina brevicauda. Attempts to explain selective overgrowth led us to consider the functions of tooth pulp. According to dentistry investigations, one of the several functions of pulp is dentine innervation. We assume that dentine innervation is a significant feature of soricid teeth. A list of twelve characters displays the possible application of pulp endocast morphology to phylogenetic investigations. We suggest that pulp endocast analysis be added to the analysis of the tooth surface to achieve the broadest and most productive use of tooth morphology.
- Published
- 2020
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