Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · View the paper (DOI)
Researchers shed light on the evolution of mammalian tusks by tracing them back to ancient mammal relatives called dicynodonts. Dicynodonts had protruding tusks in their upper jaws, but they were not always true tusks – instead, some had enamel-coated teeth that did not fit the definition.
Coverage from 2 institutions
- Fossil dental exams reveal how tusks first evolved and why they are unique only to mammals Harvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology · Oct 26, 2021 · first to report
- Fossil dental exams reveal how tusks first evolved Field Museum · Oct 26, 2021