The Deseado Formation of PatagoniaLoomis, Frederic Brewster
Science
The Deseado Formation of Patagonia
Loomis, Frederic Brewster
Paleontology -- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
The first striking feature is the dental formula. As formerly given,
it is inaccurate, there being two great tushes on either side of the
upper jaw, instead of one, as described. At first sight, I thought it
might be a meristic variation, but both of my skulls show the same
arrangement on both sides, and these are the first two skulls which
have been found complete to the front end, and neither is by any means
a young individual. The dental formula would then read
2 0 3 3
-------.
1 0 2 3
Upper incisor 1 is a rootless, permanently growing tush about a
fourth smaller than inc. 2, but of the same character, being oval in
cross section and having enamel on the front face only. These first
incisors are directed downward, so that their ends stand between and
very slightly in front of the second incisors. The end of each is worn
bluntly round in contrast to the beveled end of inc. 2. The second
incisor is larger, rootless, and permanently growing, with a hollow
base, enamel on the front face only, and oval in cross section. Both
these teeth have a layer of cement on them, extending some distance
beyond the alveolus. The tips are worn in a long bevel on the posterior
side, very much as is the case on the incisors of rodents.
The third upper incisor, the canine, and premolar 1 are lacking, a long
diastema occupying their place, out of which they have been crowded
by the development of the enormous root of inc. 2, which extends 150
mm. and more back into the jaw. _P. romeri_ is distinguished from the
others by pm. 1 being present.
The teeth of the upper premolar-molar series have their crowns
expanded, and the two series of either side have moved toward each
other; until in front they are in contact while in the rear they
are only 50 mm. apart, narrowing the palate in a unique manner, and
giving the impression that the palate is mostly a grinding surface.
The premolars are completely molariform and the whole series is at an
advanced stage of specialization.
Premolar 2 is three-rooted, with a triangular crown on which are three
mamma-like tubercles, the larger one in front, and two behind. As the
crown is worn, these unite into a flat, grinding surface, surrounding
a central pit which opens behind. Premolars 3 and 4 and all the molars
are large, four-rooted, quadrilateral teeth, each with two transverse
crests running clear across the crown, and with a small cingulum across
the anterior margin. Before they are worn, the top of each crest is
tuberculated, and the cingulum is crenulated. In wearing, the anterior
face of each crest is ground down; so that instead of the crown wearing
to a level surface, it retains throughout life two oblique grinding
surfaces.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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