Mesowear

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Mesowear: A simple way to read an animal’s diet from its teeth

Mesowear is a quick, low-cost method used in biology to infer what an animal ate over its life (whether it was a grazer or a browser). It can be applied to both living and extinct species, as long as there are enough samples.

How it works
- Different foods wear teeth in characteristic ways. Rough, gritty grasses cause strong abrasion; softer leaves cause less external wear.
- In general, grazers show rougher wear, while browsers show smoother wear.

What scientists score
- Molars are examined for cusp shape: sharp, rounded, or blunt.
- The height of the ridges between cusps (occlusal relief) is noted: high or low.
- Wear comes from two processes: attrition (tooth-to-tooth grinding) and abrasion (wear from the food itself). Browsers tend to show more attrition; grazers show more abrasion.

Data collection
- Teeth are examined with a hand lens and often photographed for scoring.

Practical notes
- A reliable result usually needs more than 20 specimens.
- The method started with certain molar types but can be adapted to other tooth forms.

Uses
- Helps scientists understand diet, ecology, and even evolution.
- Can guide feeding decisions for herbivores in captivity when their diets are not well known.

Quick takeaway
- Sharp cusps and high relief usually indicate a browser (less wear).
- Round or blunt cusps with lower relief indicate heavier wear, typical of grazing.