
%0 Journal Article
%A Lentle, R. G. 
%A Hume, I. D. 
%A Stafford, K. J. 
%A Kennedy, M. 
%A Haslett, S. 
%A Springett, B. P. 
%T Comparison of tooth morphology and wear patterns in four species of wallabies
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 2003/04/15
%V 51
%N 1
%P 61-79
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO01078
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO01078 
%X Tooth morphology of two browsing macropods (brush-tailed rock-wallabies and swamp wallabies), one grazing species (tammar wallaby) and one mixed feeder (parma wallaby) are compared. The dental action of a single tammar wallaby was studied by cinefluoroscopy. Cinefluoroscopy showed independent rotation of each hemi-jaw on occlusion in the tammar, and the disposition of molar striae suggest a similar pattern of jaw movement in all four species. There was a close relationship between incisor and molar action in both grazing and browsing species. Initial occlusion of the anterior facets of the incisors brought about a grasping action in browsing species and a fine cutting action in grazing species. In both grazing and browsing species these incisor actions were coincident with a cutting action by the transverse lophs during molar occlusion. Subsequent independent rotation of each hemi-jaw results in fine cutting by the lateral facets of the incisors, in both grazers and browsers, at the same time as the molar arrays perform a crushing action in browsers and a secondary cutting action in grazing species. Thus the teeth of the four species showed a number of similarities (independent rotation of each hemi-jaw) along with some differences (incisor and molar actions) that appear to represent adaptations for efficient aquisition and oral processing of browse or graze. 
