FOR 771: Function and Performance Enhancement in the Mammalian Dentition - Phylogenetic and Ontogenetic Impact on the Masticatory Apparatus

研究单位因对哺乳动物牙齿的功能和进化的共同兴趣而团结在一起。许多作者已经描述了化石和现存哺乳动物牙列的巨大形态多样性，但对其功能方面的了解仍然非常有限。在许多情况下，对颌骨运动的经典描述是正位的、前位的或侧位的，这是不够的。从牙齿咬合面上的条纹开始，重建颌骨运动。之所以选择这种方法，是因为这种极好的信息来源既可以从现存的哺乳动物的牙齿中获得，也可以从化石中获得。研究单位的一个重要目标是了解颌骨运动和牙齿形态在系统发育和个体发育过程中是如何变化的。

The Reseach Unit is united by the common interest in the function and evolution of mammalian dentitions. The great morphological diversity of fossil and extant mammalian dentitions has been described by many authors, but the knowledge of the functional aspect is still very limited. The classical description of the jaw movement as orthal, propalinal or lateral is in many cases inadequate. Starting with the striae on occlusal surfaces of teeth the jaw movement shall be reconstructed. This approach is chosen, because this excellent source of information is available in teeth of extant as well as fossil mammals. One important aim of the Reseach Unit is to understand how the jaw movement and tooth morphology were changed during phylogeny and ontogeny.