Dear MARMAM subscribers,
 
We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the current issue of Zoomorphology:
 
Dental anomalies in pinnipeds (Carnivora: Otariidae and Phocidae): occurrence and evolutionary implications
César Drehmer, Daniela Sanfelice and Carolina Loch
Zoomorphology, Volume 134, Issue 2, Pages 325-338
 
Abstract
Dental anomalies comprise variations in number, shape, size, position and occlusion of teeth, mainly caused by genetic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the nature and prevalence of dental anomalies in a large sample of pinnipeds (Otariidae and Phocidae) and to discuss potential evolutionary and ecological implications. Thirty-four species in twenty genera were sampled. The dentition of the specimens examined was compared with the normal dental formula for the species, and supernumerary and congenitally missing teeth were identified and recorded. Agenesis was observed in 0.93 % of the specimens analyzed (n = 10), being more frequent in otariids. The posteriormost upper postcanines were the teeth absent most frequently. Supernumerary teeth were observed in 1.8 % of the specimens (n = 19), more commonly in phocids. Supernumerary teeth can be interpreted as either atavistic manifestations (particularly for the posteriormost postcanines in Otariidae) or cases of disturbances in dental morphogenesis leading to the formation of extra teeth when they occur in other positions of the tooth row. Morphological dental variants such as ectopic and geminated teeth were also recorded. Cases of dental anomalies should have a limited effect on the functional morphology of the feeding apparatus in pinnipeds, with little influence on the fitness and performance of the animals. Nevertheless, understanding patterns of dental variation should contribute to future studies aiming to elucidate aspects of dental evolution and the phylogenetic relationships of pinnipeds.

Full text is available at:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00435-015-0255-x
 
 Or alternatively, a pdf can be requested at: carolina.loch@otago.ac.nz
 
Best regards,
  
________________________________________
Carolina Loch Silva, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Sir John Walsh Research Institute
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago
Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Phone: +(64) 03 479-5667
&
Research Collaborator
Geology Department, University of Otago
and
Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos UFSC
Florianópolis, SC - Brasil

http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/people/students/loch/index.html