What did microscopic enamel microwear reveal about masticated food texture?
Answer
Constant wear consistent with consuming siliceous grasses
Beyond the macro-level structural adaptations of the teeth (hypsodonty), scientists examine microwear patterns on the tooth enamel to gain fine-scale insights into the actual texture of the food being chewed. The analysis of these microscopic scratches and pits on *Coelodonta antiquitatis* fossils provided compelling evidence of a diet high in tough, abrasive elements. The observed wear patterns were consistent with the constant, strenuous grinding required to process siliceous grasses, which are known to be highly abrasive materials present in the arid steppe environment. This microscopic evidence directly supports the macro-level identification of the animal as a dedicated grazer.
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