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A comparison of the size & shape of carnassial teeth in: [A]bear (Ursus), [B]leopard (Panthera), [C]dog (Canis), [D]badger (Meles), [E]otter (Lutra), [F]raccoon (Procyon), [G]mongoose (Herpestes), [H]weasel (Mustela). Photo taken at Imperial College London.

Carnassials are large teeth found in many carnivorous mammals, used for shearing flesh and bone in a scissor- or shear-like way. In the Carnivora, the carnassials are the modified fourth upper premolar and the first lower molar. These teeth are also referred to as sectorial teeth. ^[1]

Carnassial dentition

A defining feature of the Carnivora are their teeth, the canines and carnassials. These carnivorous mammals are diphyodont.

Carnassial teeth pairs are found on either side of the jaw, and are composed of the fourth upper pre-molar, and the first lower molar. The location these carnassial pairs is determined primarily by the masseter muscle. In this position, the carnassial teeth benefit from most of the force generated by this mastication muscle, allowing for efficient shearing and cutting of flesh, tendon and muscle. ^[2]

The scissor-like motion is created by the movement between the carnassial pair when the jaw closes. The inside of the fourth upper pre-molar comes into contact with the outer surface of the first lower molar, thus allowing the sharp cusps of the carnassial teeth to slice through meat.

The length and size of the carnassial teeth vary between species, taking into account factors such as:

the size of the carnivorous animal
the extent of which the diet is carnivorous
the size of the chunk of meat that can be swallowed. ^[3]

The majority of carnivorous animals have only one carnassial pair, however, Marsupials have three pairs and Creodonts had two. Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page).

Evolution of carnassial teeth

The fossil record indicates the presence of carnassial teeth 50 million years ago, inferring that Carnivora family members descend from a common ancestor. ^[4]

The shape and size of sectorial teeth of different carnivorous animals vary depending on diet, illustrated by the comparions of bear (Ursus) carnassials with those of a leopard (Panthera). Bears, being omnivores, have a flattened, more blunt carnassial pair than leopards. This reflects the bear's diet, as the flattened carnassials are useful both in slicing meat and grinding up vegetation, whereas the leopard's sharp carnassial pairs are more adapted for its hypercarnivorous diet.

Furthermore, the evolutionary design behind having only one carnassial pair is to allow for easier remodelling of the animal's dentition through natural selection, if the need to do so arises. ^[5]

Video demonstrating the shearing action of the carnassial teeth in a weasel (Lutra) jaw. Filmed at Imperial College London.

Video demonstrating the shearing action of carnassial teeth in a dog (Canis) jaw. Filmed at Imperial College London.

Disease

Wear and cracking of the carnassial teeth in a wild carnivore (e.g. wolves, lions) may result in the death of the individual due to starvation. Carnassial teeth infections are common in domestic dogs, and present as abscesses. Extraction of the tooth and antibiotics are necessary to ensure no further complications occur.

References

^ Henry Fairfield Osborn (1907). Evolution of mammalian molar teeth. Macmillan. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
^ Cope E.D. (1879). "The Origin of the Specialized Teeth of the Carnivora". The American Naturalist. 13: 171–173.
^ . Savage R. J. G. (1977). "Evolution in carnivorous mammals". Paleontology. 20: 237–271.
^ http://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk/index.php?page=493.172
^ Valkenburgh B.V., Wayne R. K. (2010). "Carnivores". Current Biology. 20 (23): 2157.

[Osborn1907-1] Henry Fairfield Osborn (1907). Evolution of mammalian molar teeth. Macmillan. Retrieved 20 January 2011.

[0-2] Cope E.D. (1879). "The Origin of the Specialized Teeth of the Carnivora". The American Naturalist. 13: 171–173.

[1-3] . Savage R. J. G. (1977). "Evolution in carnivorous mammals". Paleontology. 20: 237–271.

[4] ttp://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk/index.php?page=493.172

[3-5] Valkenburgh B.V., Wayne R. K. (2010). "Carnivores". Current Biology. 20 (23): 2157.

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