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🗿intro to anthropology review

Toothcomb

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The toothcomb is a specialized dental feature found in some primate species, particularly lemurs and lorises. It is a comb-like arrangement of the lower incisors and canines that is used for grooming, feeding, and social communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The toothcomb is a specialized dental feature that is unique to some primate species, particularly lemurs and lorises.
  2. The toothcomb is used for grooming, feeding, and social communication, as it helps these primates manipulate and groom their fur and skin.
  3. The toothcomb is formed by the fusion of the lower incisors and canines, creating a comb-like structure that can be used for a variety of purposes.
  4. The presence and structure of the toothcomb is an important diagnostic feature for identifying and classifying different primate species.
  5. The evolution of the toothcomb is thought to be an adaptation to the specialized feeding and social behaviors of lemurs and lorises, which often live in dense forest environments.

Review Questions

  • Describe the function of the toothcomb in primates and how it relates to their feeding and grooming behaviors.
    • The toothcomb is a specialized dental feature found in some primate species, particularly lemurs and lorises. It is a comb-like arrangement of the lower incisors and canines that is used for grooming, feeding, and social communication. The toothcomb helps these primates manipulate and groom their fur and skin, which is important for maintaining their hygiene and social cohesion in the dense forest environments they often inhabit. The toothcomb also plays a role in their feeding behaviors, as it can be used to extract small food items from crevices and groom their faces and other hard-to-reach areas.
  • Explain how the presence and structure of the toothcomb is used to classify and identify different primate species.
    • The toothcomb is an important diagnostic feature for identifying and classifying different primate species. The presence, shape, and arrangement of the toothcomb can vary significantly between different primate groups, and these differences are often used as key characteristics for taxonomic classification. For example, the distinct toothcomb of lemurs is one of the features that distinguishes them from other primates, and the specific structure of the toothcomb can be used to identify different species within the lemur group. Similarly, the toothcomb is a defining feature of lorises, and its presence or absence can be used to differentiate them from other primate groups. Therefore, the toothcomb is a crucial morphological trait that helps scientists understand the evolutionary relationships and taxonomic distinctions between various primate species.
  • Analyze the evolutionary significance of the toothcomb in primates and how it reflects their adaptation to their ecological niche.
    • The evolution of the toothcomb in primates, particularly lemurs and lorises, is thought to be an adaptation to their specialized feeding and social behaviors in the dense forest environments they inhabit. The toothcomb's comb-like structure and its use for grooming, feeding, and social communication suggest that it provides these primates with significant advantages in their ecological niche. For example, the toothcomb's ability to manipulate and groom their fur and skin helps them maintain their hygiene and social cohesion, which is crucial for survival in the complex forest habitats. Additionally, the toothcomb's role in feeding, such as extracting small food items from crevices, reflects the primates' adaptations to their specific dietary requirements and foraging strategies. The presence and structure of the toothcomb, therefore, can be seen as a key evolutionary adaptation that has allowed lemurs, lorises, and other primate species to thrive in their unique ecological niches.