What is the dental formula for the lemur? A. 2.1.3.3. ? What is the dental formula for the howler monkey? B. 1.0.0.5. What is the dental formula of the baboon? C. 3.1.2.3. ? What is the dental formula for the gibbon? D. 1.0.1.4. E. 2.2.2.3. What is the dental formula for the wombat? F. 2.1.2.3.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The dental formulas for the various species you’ve listed are as follows:
- Lemur: The dental formula for lemurs is 2.1.3.3.
- This means that they have 2 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 3 molars in each quadrant of their mouth.
- Lemurs belong to the suborder Strepsirrhini within the order Primates. They are generally herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and insects. Their dental formula reflects their diet and evolutionary adaptations, as the large molars are suited for grinding food.
- Howler Monkey: The dental formula for howler monkeys is 2.1.3.3.
- Howler monkeys, part of the New World monkeys (Cebidae family), share this dental pattern with lemurs. However, the howler monkey’s specialized dental morphology reflects their folivorous diet, as they need to process tough leaves. Their larger molars and premolars help in grinding down their food.
- Baboon: The dental formula for baboons is 2.1.2.3.
- Baboons belong to the Old World monkeys (Cercopithecoidea) and this dental formula is typical for their group. It includes 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars. Baboons are omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of foods, from fruit to small animals, and their teeth reflect the need for both tearing meat and grinding plant material.
- Gibbon: The dental formula for gibbons is 2.1.2.3.
- Gibbons, part of the lesser apes (family Hylobatidae), also have a 2.1.2.3 dental formula. Gibbons are primarily frugivorous and have teeth adapted for eating fruit, although they will consume leaves and insects as well. Their dental pattern allows them to effectively process a range of foods.
- Wombat: The dental formula for wombats is 2.1.2.3.
- Wombats are marsupials and belong to the family Vombatidae. Their dental formula is quite similar to that of the baboon and gibbon, but it is more adapted to their herbivorous diet. Wombats have strong incisors and molars to help break down fibrous plants and roots, which make up the bulk of their diet.
In summary, the dental formulas vary based on diet and evolutionary adaptations. While many primates share similar formulas, the differences are largely based on their dietary habits, from the tough, fibrous plant-eating diets of howler monkeys and wombats to the more varied diets of baboons and gibbons.
