Tubulidentata is an order of mammals whose only living representative is the aardvark, placed in the family Orycteropodidae, of which the order is today effectively a synonym since no other family survives. The order name refers to the aardvark distinctive tubule-shaped teeth, which lack enamel.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionSouthern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding mainly rocky areas 1 Defining CharacteristicsTeeth without pulp cavity, made of parallel vasodentin tubes 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceStout, vaguely pig-like body with an arched back and sparse coarse hair 1 Connections
Sources
1. Aardvark, Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, classification
The aardvark is the only living member of the genus Orycteropus, the family Orycteropodidae and the order Tubulidentata.
Taxonomy
The aardvark is not closely related to the pig; rather, it is the sole extant representative of the obscure mammalian order Tubulidentata.
Distribution
It is found over much of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky.
Teeth
Instead of having a pulp cavity, each tooth has a cluster of thin, hexagonal, upright, parallel tubes of vasodentin (a modified form of dentine), with individual pulp canals.
Anatomy, appearance
The aardvark is vaguely pig-like in appearance. Its body is stout with a prominently arched back and is sparsely covered with coarse hairs.
View the SourceCatalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeParent Taxon Of: AardvarkView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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