On the Dental Formulae of Brazilian Terrestrial Carnivora (Mammalia)

Abstract

Key compendia of Neotropical mammals contain conflicting information regarding the dental formulae of Brazilian carnivores. The objective of the present study was to review the dental formulae of Brazilian Canidae, Felidae, Mephitidae, Mustelidae and Procyonidae. We illustrate the dental morphology of all Brazilian genera, and report intra and interspecific tooth variation, and supernumerary teeth. We examined skulls and mandibles of 710 Brazilian terrestrial carnivores, including juvenile and adult specimens. Adults of all genera have three incisors and one canine in each quadrant. Members of the canid family have the following postcanine formula P 4/4 and M 2/3, except Speothos venaticus (M 1/2); felids have P 3/2 and M 1/1; mephitids present P 2/3 and M 1/2; mustelids show P 2-4/2-3 and M 1/2; and finally, procyonids have P 4/4 and M 2/2, except Potos flavus (P 3/3). Supernumerary teeth were found in individuals of seven genera in every family except Procyonidae. Although our results corroborate previous descriptions based on vouchered material, we detected several incongruences being replicated, possibly due to the lack of examination of museum vouchers, propagating erroneous information without critical analysis. Finally, we present a dichotomous key based on the review of dental morphology.

Key words
Canines; carnassial tooth; incisors; molars and premolars