Hypsodonty in ungulates: an adaptation for grass consumption or for foraging in open habitat?

摘要: Hypsodont (i.e. high-crowned) teeth have been interpreted as an indicator of feeding preferences and habitat selection in ungulates. For this reason, the degree hypsodonty has used for estimating diet ancient taxa palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The goal study is to elucidate relative importance grass consumption open foraging development hypsodont teeth, using novel computer techniques knowledge discovery applied a dataset 134 species artiodactyls perissodactyls distributed among thirteen families. results obtained suggest that highcrowned represent adaptation habitat, although minimum threshold seems increase with length anterior part jaw. On contrary, there no direct relationship between percentage consumed, except correspondence grazing dwelling habitats. A relatively wide muzzle evidences mixed habitats, but are some non-grazing from closed also show muzzles. Thus, index, combined jaw width muzzle, allows accurate inferences on ecological extinct