What primary function is ruled out for the walrus tusks based on abrasion analysis?
Answer
Digging up prey from the seabed
Despite their formidable appearance, analysis conducted on abrasion patterns evident on the ivory reveals that the tusks are explicitly not utilized for digging or rooting up prey items located on the seabed. Instead, their main documented roles are centered around social interaction and environmental navigation. Males use them extensively for displaying dominance hierarchies and engaging in fights with rivals. Furthermore, the tusks serve a crucial biomechanical purpose: they provide necessary leverage for the animal to pull its substantial mass out of the water and onto surfaces such as ice floes or rugged shores. They are also employed to keep breathing holes clear in the winter ice cover.
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