Comments on the Dentition of the Teiid Dicrodon Duméril and Bibron, 1839

Abstract

The teiid genera Dicrodon and Teius possess transverse bicuspid posterior teeth on the dentaries and maxillae. In general, their dentition is considered to be comparable, and little attention has been given to their dental morphology. Here the dentition of Dicrodon is described in detail and compared to that of Teius. The dentition of Dicrodon differs from that of Teius in the following characters: both cusps are more concentrically placed (in occlusal view); the lingual cusp is developed on a crescent ridge; the crescent ridge may present mesial and distal protuberances; the lingual cusp is shorter (never as tall) as the labial cusp; and the intercuspid ridge is incomplete (missing in the lingual cusp). These characters allow the dental diagnosis of both genera.