Title: [MARMAM] New paper on cetacean brain size and diving
Dear All,
We received an email at the beaked whale resource from a dentist with a
specialist question; he is asking for more information on the growth
pattern of beaked whales teeth. I have provided what information I can, but
perhaps there is somebody considering this matter in more detail? His email is
below. If there is anyone who can offer him further information on this subject
perhaps you could email either him directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or myself at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Many thanks
Phil Coles
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 10:35 PM
Subject: Dental anatomy of beaked whales
Dear Sir,
If you have the time, I would be very grateful to know whether any
work has been done into the dental tissues of beaked whales.
I am a dentist with a passing interest in Comparative Dental Anatomy.
We had to study Comparative Anatomy during the B.D.S. undergraduate course at
university. At the time, I "earmarked" the subject as one to which I would
like to return one day. As I am in my 50s now, and retirement draws
nearer, my thoughts return to this subject.
Yesterday, in rather a hurry, I was interested to see a dry skull of a
beaked whale in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. I was fascinated
to see the two very prominent teeth in the anterior part of the mandible,
which I assume are canines. I remember studying the Narwhal tusk,
which is a canine tooth, and I assume that the Narwhals and the Beaked Whales
must be fairly closely related.
What really interested me was the obvious wear at the tip of the
teeth. If these were normal teeth of a carnivore, it would seem that there
has been wear of the outer layer, which would be enamel, exposing the softer
dentine below. However, seeing that the tips of the teeth were sharpened
points, it would appear that the underlying tissue seems more wear resistant
than the outer layer. I cannot work out how these teeth remained in the
shape of sharpened points.
I intend to return to the National Museum when I have more time to
have a closer look at this specimen. However, if you know of any
investigations of the dental tissues that have been carried out, or whether
there are any x-rays of the jaws, showing the roots of the teeth, I would be
very grateful to know.
With best wishes,
H. Christopher Browne
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