paracone

A paracone is a cusp on the upper molars of mammals. It is the principal cusp and is generally the largest and most prominent cusp. The term paracone is derived from the Greek words "para" meaning beside, and "kone" meaning cone. In the evolution of mammalian dentition, the paracone and metacone are considered to be the primary cusps of the upper molars, representing the outer pair of cusps on the ectoloph.

The paracone develops from the anterior-lingual cusp of the ancestral therian molar, whereas the metacone develops from the posterior-lingual cusp. These two cusps, along with the protocone (on the lingual side of the upper molar), form the basic structure of many mammalian molars. The relative size, shape, and position of the paracone can vary significantly between different mammalian groups, reflecting adaptations to various diets and feeding strategies. For example, in herbivores, the paracone may be more flattened and involved in grinding, while in carnivores, it might be sharper and more pointed for shearing.

The study of paracone morphology is important in paleontology for classifying fossil mammals and understanding their evolutionary relationships. The presence, absence, or modification of the paracone, along with other cusps like the metacone and protocone, are key diagnostic features used in identifying species and tracing evolutionary lineages. The arrangement and development of these cusps are fundamental to understanding the evolution of the mammalian tooth crown.