What dental feature distinguishes warthogs adapted for grinding tough, fibrous grasses?
Answer
High-crowned, complex cheek teeth (molars)
The transition of the warthog from a generalist forager to a dedicated grazer led to significant refinement in their dental structure. Warthogs possess highly specialized molars that are characterized as being high-crowned and having complex structures. This dentition is specifically adapted for the difficult task of grinding tough, fibrous grasses. These grasses are significantly more abrasive than the mixed diet consumed by other pigs. This dental specialization represents a major evolutionary divergence within the Suidae family, cementing their role as specialized grazers whose physical form is optimized for exploiting the specific vegetation found in the savanna environment.
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