Re: Re: Meat eating

CurtAdams@aol.com
Sat, 31 Jan 1998 12:24:24 EST


In a message dated 1/30/98 8:34:50 PM, warrl@mail.blarg.net wrote:

>> From: CALYK@aol.com
>
>> Also ive heard that scientists can tell that we lived on a primarily fruit
>> diet for a long time by the way our teeth are.
>
>Sure, that's why we have canines, right?

Primate canines are apparently primarily for male-male sexual dominance
displays. The size of canines in primate is very closely correlated with
how often males fight for females. Monogamous species have small canines
and harem species have big ones.

But, yes, many primates eat mostly fruit, including some putative ancestors,
and I think it is reflected in the teeth somehow.