The variable pattern of canine length between male and female primates is of great interest to anthropologists who study human evolution. Yet in other primate species, like the previously mentioned gibbons, females evolved larger, weaponized canines to match the males in this case, the large canines in female gibbons allows them to compete effectively in aggressive encounters with neighboring social groups over territory and food resources. Often, a pattern of equal-sized canines reflects reduced competition for mating, and therefore a reduction in male canine length relative to female-such as in the titi monkeys of South America, and in humans. In some primates, however, males and females have canines that are the same size. Males with the largest canines tend to be the most dominant, resulting in more opportunities to mate than their rival males, and by extension, siring more offspring. Within groups, males compete fiercely for access to mates and use their large canines as advertisements of their physical strength and, less often, as actual weapons for inflicting wounds on their rivals. Most primates live in large social groups, often consisting of one or a few males and a larger number of associated females and their offspring. Male members of most primate species tend to have larger canines than females. Instead, some primates evolved long, weaponized canine teeth that are used to perform similar social roles as horns, tusks, and antlers. Unlike other mammals, primates typically lack horns, tusks, and antlers-structures that are useful in aggressive, competitive social interactions, such as those involved in territorial disputes or in competitions for mates. Canids, in contrast, deliver more shallow, quick wounds to their prey and their canines are not subjected to the same kinds of twisting and bending as felid canines.įor primates, however, the canine teeth serve a different, social role. Felids (cats such as lions, leopards, and jaguars) have longer and stronger canines than canids (dogs, wolves, foxes) because felids tend to deliver deeper and stronger bone-crushing bites on moving, often struggling prey. Variation in canine size within carnivores often reflects prey killing technique. Think back to all those nature documentaries you’ve seen: carnivores like lions and cheetas are famous for chasing down large game animals and their canines are well suited for roles in puncturing and killing prey. In carnivores, as expected, the canines are used primarily for hunting prey. The term carnivore, in this instance, refers specifically to families of mammals that belong to the Order Carnivora: dogs, cats, bears, hyenas, raccoons, weasels, mongooses, and many others. To get at the meat of this question, we should probably first take a look at the namesake for the canine teeth, the carnivores. Why do both male and female gibbons have really large canines, while humans are stuck with our tiny ones? This pattern is quite distinct among primates, which has perplexed scholars for many years. Unlike us, both male and female gibbons possess projecting, dagger-like canines. Take gibbons, for example-small-bodied, Southeast Asian apes that are closely related to humans. Conversely, some non-human primates seem to have the opposite dilemma to us they have really big canine teeth. In fact, our puny canines are quite miserable for doing either of the things that mammals typically do with their canines: capture prey or fight for access to mates. By comparison to other mammals, our canines are quite insignificant. When brushing your teeth at night, chances are you give very little consideration to your canine teeth-the teeth that sit between your incisors (i.e., your front teeth) and your premolars (or bicuspids, as dentists like to call them). Luke Fannin from the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth College shows us that the canine teeth of our primate relative, the gibbon, have a fascinating evolutionary history and ultimate function than canine teeth in many (most even?) other mammals. This year, we focus on those made famous by vampires: canines. Last year we focused on how the consistency of our food (hard, soft, chewy, gooey) influences how our jaws grow. Why? Because teeth play a critical role in all sorts of Halloween-related activities: eating candy, wearing costumes, carving jack-o-lanters, sucking blood (mwahahaha…er…). Another Halloween, another piece about teeth.
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