What specialized teeth define the Order Carnivora lineage weasels belong to, adapted for slicing flesh?
Answer
Carnassials
The Order Carnivora, which includes the weasel, is characterized by specialized dental structures adapted for a meat-based diet. The key structure mentioned are the carnassials. These teeth function analogous to shears, enabling the carnivore to efficiently slice through flesh and crush bone fragments left over from a kill. This adaptation is fundamental to the ecological role and evolutionary path shared by all true carnivorans, setting them apart from omnivores or herbivores whose dentition is structured primarily for grinding plant matter.
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