Studies on anatomy, histology molecular biology and biophysics will merge in an integrative approach to solving the evolutionary exception to this form and function of mammalian teeth.






Brief and incomplete descriptions have been made to identify Inuit and Eskimo narwhal anatomic classifications.

Anatomic classifications have been recorded for over 100 years in Inuit and Eskimo culture, and still no one has formally recognized these descriptions in the scientific literature.

Additional interviews with Inuit elders will be conducted in 2004 and recorded on narwhal anatomy and behavior. Two interpreters and translators have been retained to assist and prepare transcripts in English and Inuktitut.

Sample Letter Presented to Communities Involved in the Study

 

Approach
The research investigation will examine several physical characteristics of the narwhal skull, jaw and teeth. Starting with basic anatomy, the narwhal will be described using both the traditional knowledge of native peoples and the scientific.

Odontocetes are characterized by skull asymmetry differentiated from the more symmetric skulls of mysticetes.

Background
The adult male tusk erupts through the left side of the upper jaw plate and lip, extending 8-10 feet (Tomilin, 1957) and forming a unique left handed helix.

Spiral tusk morphology is rarely observed with isolated examples found primarily in elephants undergoing trauma