Forage silica and water content control dental surface texture in guinea pigs and provide implications for dietary reconstruction [Ecology]

Recent studies have shown that phytoliths are softer than dental enamel but still act as abrasive agents. Thus, phytolith content should be reflected in dental wear. Because native phytoliths show lower indentation hardness than phytoliths extracted by dry ashing, we propose that the hydration state of plant tissue will also...

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