Awards

• Winner of PROSE (Biological Sciences) 2010

Overview

In this unique book, Peter S. Ungar tells the story of mammalian teeth from their origin through their evolution to their current diversity. Mammal Teeth traces the evolutionary history of teeth, beginning with the very first mineralized vertebrate structures half a billion years ago. Ungar describes how the simple conical tooth of early vertebrates became the molars, incisors, and other forms we see in mammals today. Evolutionary adaptations changed pointy teeth into flatter ones, with specialized shapes designed to complement the corresponding jaw. Ungar explains tooth structure and function in the context of nutritional needs. The myriad tooth shapes produced by evolution offer different solutions to the fundamental problem of how to squeeze as many nutrients as possible out of foods. The book also highlights Ungar's own path-breaking studies that show how microwear analysis can help us understand ancient diets. The final part of the book provides an in-depth examination of mammalian teeth today, surveying all orders in the class, family by family. Ungar describes some of the more bizarre teeth, such as tusks, and the mammal diversity that accompanies these morphological wonders. Mammal Teeth captures the evolution of mammals, including humans, through the prism of dental change. Synthesizing decades of research, Ungar reveals the interconnections among mammal diet, dentition, and evolution. His book is a must-read for paleontologists, mammalogists, and anthropologists.

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter S. Ungar (Professor of Anthropology, University of Arkansas)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 21.60cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 27.90cm
Weight:   1.157kg
ISBN:  

9780801896682

ISBN 10:   0801896681
Pages:   320
Publication Date:   26 November 2010
Recommended Age:   From 17
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Endothermy Food Energy and Teeth A Very Brief History of the Study of Mammal Teeth Organization of This Book Part I: Key Terms and Concepts 1. Tooth Structure and Form Basic Tooth Structure Tooth Types Deciduous and Permanent Teeth Dental Formulas, Tooth Notations, and Direction Terms Nomenclature for Features on the Occlusal Surface Categories of Cheek Teeth 2. Dental Histology and Development Fracture Mechanics and Tooth Design Dental Histology Dental Development Genetics of Dental Development and Occlusal Morphology 3. Food and Feeding Nutrient Requirements Energy Flow and Food Selection Diet Categories Physical Properties of Foods Final Thoughts 4. Food Acquisition and Processing Food Acquisition Food Processing Final Thoughts 5. Classification of the Mammals Some Basic Terms and Concepts A Very Brief History of Classification of the Mammals Classification Used in This Book Taxonomy, Systematics, and Teeth Part II: The Evolution of Mammal Teeth 6. Teeth before the Mammals The Origin(s) of Teeth The Early Evolution of Teeth Final Thoughts 7. The Origin of Mammalian Mastication The Early Evolution of the Synapsids Key Adaptations for Mammalian Mastication Final Thoughts 8. The Fossil Record for Mesozoic Mammals The Evolution of Mesozoic Mammals The Evolution of Molar Form in Mesozoic Mammals The Cretaceous/Paleogene Extinctions 9. Cenozoic Mammalian Evolution Fossil Monotremes Fossil Marsupials Fossil Placentals Cenozoic Mammalian Radiations Final Thoughts Part III: The Teeth of Recent Mammals 10. Monotremata and Marsupialia Protheria Monotremata Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Notoryctemorphia Peramelemorphia Dasyuromorphia Diprotodontia Final Thoughts 11. Xenarthra and Afrotheria Xenarthra Cingulata Pilosa Afrotheria Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia Final Thoughts 12. Laurasiatheria Cetartiodactyla Perissodactyla Chiroptera Carnivora Pholidota Eulipotyphla Final Thoughts 13. Euarchontoglires Scandentia Dermoptera Primates Lagomorpha Rodentia Final Thoughts Conclusions Adaptive Radiation of the Mammals How Do Teeth Work? Where Did Teeth Come From, and How Did They Evolve? Dental Diversity Today and What We Can Learn from It Final Thoughts Appendix Literature Cited Index

Reviews

A pick for any college-level collection strong in natural history. Midwest Book Review In this wonderful volume, anthropologist-paleontologist Ungar provides the most complete source available (or imaginable) on the subject... Highly recommended. Choice Mammal Teeth is a highly valuable contribution to recent literature on the important subject of dental morphology and evolution. -- Matthew J. Ravosa American Midland Naturalist A superb reference book for anyone with an interest in the subject... I wholeheartedly recommend the purchase of Mammal Teeth: Origin, Evolution, and Diversity to anyone with an interest in dental morphology and the teeth of mammals. -- Ian Corfe Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Ungar's book is a superb overview of the field of dental morphology, structured in an easily accessible format. Mammal Teeth is an outstanding and valuable resource for the novice or student starting out in the field, and it can also be used successfully as a reference for professional biologists or odontologists. -- Alistair Evans Bioscience An invaluable reference on this fascinating subject for readers at all levels. -- Hans-Dieter Sues Quarterly Review of Biology Mammal Teeth is an impressive work, both for its scholarship and clear, often entertaining presentation... Mammal Teeth is a must-have for vertebrate paleontologists, physical anthropologists, and mammalogists interested in morphology, the biomechanics of chewing, and feeding ecology. Students will find Mammal Teeth especially useful as a point-of-entry into the literature on mammalian teeth. -- John P. Hunter Journal of Mammalian Evolution

In this impressive, comprehensive volume Peter Ungar explores every aspect of mammalian teeth - their evolutionary origin, histology, development, and fundamental physiological role in fueling a high-energy, endothermic lifestyle. - Tom S. Kemp, University of Oxford Food processing is fundamental to the way animals meet the energy requirements of life. Peter Ungar captures several fundamental aspects of how animals do this - by growing teeth with such exquisitely adapted physical and structural properties and with such a diversity of size and shape! Never has this subject been better captured. - Christopher Dean, University College, London

Author Information

Peter S. Ungar is Distinguished Professor and chair of anthropology at the University of Arkansas.

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