Different dental morphological features,including the occlusal surface,interproximal surface,buccal surface and lingual surface,were described by observing the 155 non-isolated teeth in maxillary specimens from giant pandas(Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from the Qinling Mountains.The correlation between dental features and diet was discussed based on the measurement of dental crown width,dental crown thickness,dental crown height,dental cervical width,dental cervical thickness,dental root length and dental length,in parallel with a study on the feeding ecology of giant pandas.Dental unity of morphology and function of wild giant pandas was also described.The correlation between dental anatomy and physiology was further analyzed.The results showed that during the evolutionary process,as a special stock of carnivore,the giant panda’s food was highly specialized.Its dental morphological features are significantly different from those of other carnivores and have their own peculiarities.The incisor has a trend of degradation and double dentition.It has lost the dental morphological features of other carnivores.The canine is strong and forms a cone.Its crown height is twice the height than the molar’s crown.The premolar and the molar have complex dental morphology.Their occlusal surface has many crista.The cingulum is well-developed.The broad and uneven occlusal surfaces are similar to those of omnivorous and herbivorous animals.Changes in the food structure affect the dental masticatory function in different ways,resulting in the adaptive performance in the dental morphology.Morphological characteristics of these teeth meet the needs of masticatory function,which is closely related to its oral physiological functions.The results of this study provide the anatomical basis for the prevention and treatment of dental disease of giant pandas,as well as having very important ecological significance.
