Tooth enamel structure in the hyaenid Chasmaporthetes lunensis lunensis from the Late Pliocene of Italy, with implications for feeding behavior

Hunter-Schreger Bands (HSB) and the outer enamel surface of the teeth of th e hunting hyena Chasmaporthetes lunensis lunenesis Del Campana, from Olivol a (late Pliocene, Italy) has been analysed. As in the bone crushing hyenas (Crocuta, Hyaena, and Pachycrocuta) C. l. lunensis possesses complex HSB, w ith both horizontal and vertical components. However the less intense foldi ng of the HSB and the smooth outer enamel surface suggest a more primitive structure than that in the bone crushing hyenas. This is consistent with th e hypothesis that Chasmaporthetes was not an extremely specialized bone eat er.