Abstract
I was excited upon hearing of the release of the second edition of this book. The new edition builds upon the content of the initial publication in 2016, adding new material to support the expanding body of knowledge within the field of nonmammalian vertebrate dentistry and oral structures. The second edition is a hardcover and solid with crisp pages, easy to read.
The overall structure of the book remains unchanged, featuring eight chapters (Chapters 1-8) describing the unique dentitions of each group of nonmammalian vertebrates, along with three chapters (Chapters 9-11), which focus on general aspects of teeth. The book is beautifully illustrated, including line drawings, diagrams, and photographs. In this updated edition, every chapter benefits from the inclusion of new photographs and diagrams, and replacing those which were not satisfactory, allowing the reader a much better comprehension of the topic. I really enjoyed and found the photographs and explanations of the bony fishes and snakes particularly captivating. And much to my delight, every chapter is meticulously referenced.
The Introduction discusses the origins of jaws and teeth, followed by dedicated chapters on Cyclostomes, Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras, Bony fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles—which are further divided into Tuatara and Lizards, Snakes, and Crocodiles. Subsequent chapters are dedicated to Tooth Formation, Ontogeny of the Dentition and Tooth Replacement within each species, concluding with a chapter on Dental Hard Tissues. Within each chapter, there is an updated explanation of the role of the teeth in feeding and the organization of the dentition. Chapter 10 provides a thorough and easy-to-understand explanation of tooth growth, loss, and replacement. We learn that the pattern and sequence of teeth and their subsequent replacement are important aspects of the organization of a polyphyodont dentition. This chapter provides excellent diagrams and micrographs that clarify the often difficult-to-understand patterns of tooth replacement. Chapter 11 places an emphasis on the mechanical properties of hard tissue in supporting tooth function.
One major change in this edition is the shift in focus towards the description of tooth formation, placing nonmammalian vertebrates at the forefront, as opposed to the first edition, which focused on mammalian vertebrates. The second edition also has minimized references to mammalian teeth. The authors advise readers who may be only familiar with human or mammalian teeth to consult the chapters on tooth development, ontogeny and hard tissue before reading the descriptive chapters. I followed this recommendation and found it to be beneficial.
In summary, this book would be a valuable addition to any dental library, especially for clinicians and researchers working with or engaged in the study of nonmammalian vertebrates. My sincere appreciation goes to the authors for producing this second edition, which I found to be a wonderful read.