ABSTRACT
O Kerodon rupestris, também conhecido como mocó, é um roedor herbívoro encontrado no Brasil. A dentição dos mamíferos apresenta-se variável de acordo com as espécies embora seja formada pelos mesmos componentes: esmalte, dentina, cemento e polpa. Neste estudo foram utilizadas sete cabeças de Kerodon rupestris, adultos, de ambos os sexos. Na cavidade oral do Kerodon rupestris, devido ao tamanho relativamente grande dos incisivos, estes se destacaram dos demais e foram encontrados um par em cada mandíbula. Dois pares de pré-molares e três pares de molares foram encontrados, sendo representados na fórmula 2x (I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3). Os molares apresentaram duas cúspides, conformação que conferia a estes dentes um aspecto serrilhado. Microscopicamente os dentes incisivos, pré-molares e molares foram classificados como hipsodontes, ou seja, dentes em constante erupção.
The Kerodon rupestris, also known as rock cavy, is a herbivorous rodent found in Brazil. The mammalian dentition presented an usual pattern in all species, however each tooth had been formed by the same structural components, e.g. enamel, dentine, cementum and pulp. A molar and incisive teeth samples were collected and processed by the technique of consuming and other teeth had been submitted to the decalcification technique. Thereafter the materials were processed by the histologic routine technique of inclusion in a similar product to paraffin, cut and stained by H/E. All materials prepared for light microscopy were documentated. In the oral cavity of the Kerodon rupestris, the incisors had to be detached of others and had been found a pair in each jaw. Two pairs of premolars and three pairs of molars had been found, being represented in formula 2x(I 1/1, C 0/ 0, P 1/1, M 3/3). The molars had two cuspids and this conformation conferred to these teeth a serrated aspect. Microscopically, incisive, premolars and molars teeth had been classified as hypsodonts, teeth in constant eruption.