Define lophodont teeth and name a mammal group that exhibits them.

• A. Crescent-shaped enamel ridges on molars.
• B. Low-crowned teeth with rounded cusps.
• C. High-crowned teeth for grazing.
• D. Molars with linked enamel ridges (lophs) across teeth; seen in elephants and some other herbivores.

Answer: (D)

Lophodont teeth are defined by molars that have enamel ridges running across the tooth, forming linked lophs that create a broad, continuous grinding surface. This arrangement is especially effective for breaking down fibrous plant material, which is why elephants—and many other herbivores that grind tough vegetation—show this pattern. The other descriptions refer to different tooth designs: crescent-shaped ridges describe selenodont teeth typical of many ruminants; low-crowned teeth with rounded cusps describe brachyodont, bunodont-type dentition; and high-crowned teeth for grazing describe hypsodont dentition. The key feature of lophodonts is those cross-macing enamel ridges that span the tooth to maximize grinding efficiency.