Comparing Dentition Patterns? I promise they won't bite...

  I will be using a notation for teeth that looks like 2/2 1/1 2/2 3/3. This notation indicates a set of 2 teeth on right and left sides of the mouth. Then a set of 1 on right and left. Another set of 2on right and left. And Finally a set of 3 on right and left. That total of 16 is then multiplied by 2 to get the total teeth top and bottom of 32.The formation for these teeth with be in incisor, canine, premolar, and molar order respectively.
Lemurs

Lemurs are native to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands and are herbivores or omnivores. They spend most of their time underground. The Lemur's Teeth consist of 2/2, 1/1, 3/3, 3/3 = 36. So the Lemur has 8 total incisors which are extremely close together for easier peeling ability, 4 total canine, 12 total premolar, and 12 total molar teeth. The lemur due to its mostly herbivore but sometimes omnivore diet shows the reason for this allocation of teeth. The incisors and canine provide a sharp enough surface to tear meat or rough plants and the molars and premolars provide the strength and size to grind down the rest of the plants.

Spider Monkeys 

The spider monkey is a very small little guy that live in the evergreen rainforests and usually thrive in the upper canopy of the rainforest. They mostly are herbivores. The new world spider monkey has a dental pattern of 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3= 32. The total of 8 incisors allow for the shredding of simple greens and rough plants. The 4 canine allow for slicing rough upper canopy plants. The 8 premolar and 12 molar teeth allow for the grinding of all other plant based food. This trait can be viewed as an adaptation to its environment because of the ability to thrive with its food in the upper canopy of the rainforest.

 Baboons

Baboons are normally found in many parts of Africa and in southern Europe. They are primarily herbivores, but will eat insects, fish, and rabbit. The makeup of their teeth is 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 = 32. The total 8 incisors allow for simple breaking and shredding of plants and meat. The 4 canine are extremely large on the top to provide strength to grip and shred food. The 8 premolar and 12 molar teeth provide the ability to grind plants down for better food processing. This trait can be viewed as an adaptation because of their development of teeth to fit their diet.

 Gibbons

Gibbons are primarily found in Southeast Asia and are omnivores with fruit consisting of 75% of their diet. Their teeth are arranged 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 = 32. The 8 incisors allow for the shredding of fruits and the various meats. The 4 enlarged canine allow for the ability to tear food. The 8 premolar and 12 molar teeth are once again used for grinding the numerous plants and fruits. The assortment of the teeth can be viewed as an adaptation because of the specialized ability of the mouth to consume plants and meats.

  

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are found primarily in Africa in the rainforests or wet Savannas. They are omnivores who eat mostly fruit with a small amount of fish or insects. Their teeth are 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 = 32. The 8 incisors are used for shredding. The 4 canine are for tearing rough fruits and meats. The 8 premolar and 12 molar teeth are once again for grinding down the plant based diet. The adaptation can be seen in the teeth which are perfect for the high plant diet with a little meat as well.

Overall Analysis

Although many of the primates have extremely similar if not identical configuration, the actual size and shape of the teeth are quite different as one can tell in the photographs. The environment as well as the size of the animal itself appears to have had an influence on the physical traits of these 5 primates. Probably the most significant and obvious one is the expected diet which would be a telling sign for formation and use of the teeth.