Brachydontism

/ˌbrækɪˈdɒntɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The condition or property of having short teeth with relatively low crowns, as seen in certain mammals.

Etymology

From 'brachydont' with the suffix '-ism', used in zoology and paleontology to describe dental characteristics.

Kelly Says

Paleontologists can identify extinct animals by brachydontism patterns alone—brachydont fossils tell us an animal was probably a grazer that evolved when grasslands became abundant, helping us date when dinosaurs disappeared!

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