Fractal dimensions characterizing mammal teeth: a case study involving Elephantidae

Authors: J. STONE; M. TELFORD

Source: Mammal Review, Volume 35, Number 1, January 2005 , pp. 123-128(6)

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Abstract:

1. Dental features frequently have provided data for producing and deducing mammal taxonomies and phylogeny, yet quantitative or statistical analyses for describing intricacies that characterize tooth form are wanting.

2. A method for determining fractal dimensions D that characterize enamel ridges constituting occlusal surfaces for teeth in some mammal species is presented; D quantify complexity (i.e. convolution). The method is exemplified with an analysis that was conducted on teeth from the Family Elephantidae.

Keywords: character; dental; elephant; mammoth; morphology; morphometrics; systematics; taxonomy

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00054.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada

Publication date: 2005-01-01