Question

A paleontologist observes the jaw of an animal and concludes that it belongs to mammals. Give a reason for his conclusion.

Answer 1

The teeth of the mammals differ from other vertebrates in the following aspects

1. Mammals are heterodonts i.e. they have more than one type of teeth unlike in early vertebrates where teeth in all parts of the jaw looked similar.

2. Mammals are thecodonts i.e. their teeth are embedded in sockets rather than attached directly to the jaw.

So, the animal must have been a hetero and a thecodont. so, he concluded that the animal was a mammal.