Biologists use GPS to 'map' bats teeth to explore evolutionary adaptations to diet
Friday, February 18, 2011 - 12:50
in Biology & Nature
Using a method based on geographic positioning systems that allowed them to characterise the topography of the bats' molars in a way similar to how geographers characterise mountain surfaces, the researchers calculated a measure of dental complexity that reflects how 'rugged' the surface of the tooth is. They illustrate a trend from relative simplicity of the shearing molars in insect eaters and omnivores to high complexity of the crushing molars in fruit eaters...