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Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
FOR 771
Collaborative Project
Coordinating institution:
Steinmann-Institute for Geology, Mineralogy und Palaeontology
The reserach unit is united by the common interest in the function and evolution of mammalian dentitions. The great morphological diversity of fossil and extant mammalian dentitions has been described by many authors, but the knowledge of the functional aspect is still very limited. The classical description of the jaw movement as orthal, propalinal or lateral is in many cases inadequate. Starting with the striae on occlusal surfaces of teeth the jaw movement shall be reconstructed.
This approach is chosen, because this excellent source of information is available in teeth of extant as well as fossil mammals. One important aim of the research unit is to understand how the jaw movement and tooth morphology were changed during phylogeny and ontogeny. The efficiency of specific tooth shapes for destroying plant material can be tested under the aspects of biomechanics and energy when selected living herbivorous mammals are fed with standardized plant material.
Collaborative Projects
A: Construction materials
Leading institution:
Institute of Animal Science
Research projects
B: Mastificatory processes
Leading institution:
Department of Biology
C: Food reduction
Leading institution:
Institute of Animal Science
Research projects
D: Evolution
Leading institution:
Steinmann-Institute for Geology, Mineralogy und Palaeontology
