The Function of Interlocking Canines in Rain Forest Peccaries (Tayassuidae)

Abstract

Interlocking canines of rain forest peccaries (Tayassu tajacu and T. pecari) may function to resist forces tending to dislocate the lower jaw when these animals bite hard nuts and seeds. This hypothesis suggests a scenario for the evolutionary divergence between peccaries and pigs that focuses on differences in feeding ecology. Other features of the cranial anatomy of peccaries also appear to reflect use of highly resistant foods.