Tooth enamel structure in the hyaenid Chasmaporthetes lunensis lunensis from the Late Pliocene of Italy, with implications for feeding behavior

Hunter-Schreger Bands (HSB) and the outer enamel surface of the teeth of the hunting hyena Chasmaporthetes lunensis lunenesis Del Campana, from Olivola (late Pliocene, Italy) has been analysed. As in the bone crushing hyenas (Crocuta, Hyaena, and Pachycrocuta) C. l. lunensis possesses complex HSB, with both horizontal and vertical components. However the less intense folding of the HSB and the smooth outer enamel surface suggest a more primitive structure than that in the bone crushing hyenas. This is consistent with the hypothesis that Chasmaporthetes was not an extremely specialized bone eater.