bunodont

Bunodont refers to a type of molar tooth morphology in which the grinding surface is formed by rounded, relatively low cusps that are similar in size and widely spaced. The cusps are distinct and rounded, giving the crown a bun-like appearance, in contrast to lophodont teeth with elongated ridges or selenodont teeth with crescent-shaped valleys. In bunodont molars, the occlusal surface typically bears three to four main cusps that meet during chewing to crush and grind a broad range of foods.

Distribution and examples: Bunodont dentition is common in omnivorous mammals and other taxa with generalized diets. Well-known examples include humans, domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), and bears (family Ursidae). Some primates and other mammals with mixed diets also exhibit bunodont molars, illustrating the pattern's association with dietary versatility. The bunodont arrangement contrasts with lophodont or selenodont dentition found in many herbivores, such as horses and cattle, where grinding surfaces are formed by continuous ridges or crescent-shaped valleys.

Function and evolution: The rounded cusps enable effective crushing of a variety of foods, including plant material and animal matter, making bunodont dentition well suited to omnivory and opportunistic feeding. In evolutionary terms, bunodont molars are often viewed as a generalized or ancestral dental pattern within certain mammal groups, with other lineages evolving more specialized cusp patterns in response to dietary demands.