Jump to content

Grooming claw: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mention New World monkeys
mNo edit summary
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Claw or nail on the foot of certain primates, used for personal grooming}}
[[Image:Varecia variegata foot with toilet-claw.jpg|thumb|Close-up of a [[ruffed lemur]]'s foot, showing the toilet-claw on the second toe and nails on all other toes]]
[[Image:Varecia variegata foot with toilet-claw.jpg|thumb|Close-up of a [[ruffed lemur]]'s foot, showing the toilet-claw on the second toe and nails on all other toes]]
A '''toilet-claw''' ('''toilet claw''', '''grooming claw''') is the specialized [[claw]] or [[Nail (anatomy)|nail]] on the foot of certain [[primate]]s, used for [[personal grooming]]. All [[prosimian]]s have a toilet claw, but the digit that is specialized in this manner varies.<ref name=evolution>{{cite doi | 10.1006/jhev.1998.0263}}</ref> [[Tarsier]]s have a toilet claw on [[toe]] two and toe three. With one possible exception, in the suborder [[Strepsirrhini]], which includes [[lemur]]s, [[galago]]s and [[Lorisidae|lorises]], the toilet claw is on the second toe. The possible exception is the [[aye-aye]], which has claws instead of nails on toes 2 through 5. There is some debate concerning whether any of these claws (and if so which ones) are toilet claws.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Less commonly known, a toilet-claw is also found on the second pedal digit of [[owl monkey]]s (''Aotus''), [[titi]]s (''Callicebus''), and possibly other [[New World monkey]]s.<ref>{{cite doi | 10.1002/ar.21498}}</ref>


A '''grooming claw''' (or '''toilet claw''') is the specialized [[claw]] or [[Nail (anatomy)|nail]] on the foot of certain [[primate]]s, used for [[personal grooming]]. All [[prosimian]]s have a grooming claw, but the digit that is specialized in this manner varies.<ref name=evolution>{{Cite journal | last1 = Soligo | first1 = C. | last2 = Müller | first2 = A. E. | doi = 10.1006/jhev.1998.0263 | title = Nails and claws in primate evolution | journal = Journal of Human Evolution | volume = 36 | issue = 1 | pages = 97–114 | year = 1999 | pmid = 9924135}}</ref> [[Tarsier]]s have a grooming claw on second and third [[toe]]s. In the suborder [[Strepsirrhini]], which includes [[lemur]]s, [[galago]]s and [[Lorisidae|lorises]], the grooming claw is on the second toe.<ref name="Schwitzer_etal2013">{{cite book | first1 = C | last1 = Schwitzer | first2 = R. A. | last2 = Mittermeier | first3 = E. E. | last3 = Louis Jr. | first4 = M. C. | last4 = Richardson | chapter = Family Daubentoniidae: Aye-aye | editor1-last = Mittermeier | editor1-first = Russell A. | editor1-link = Russell A. Mittermeier | editor2-first = Anthony B. | editor2-last = Rylands | editor3-first = Don E. | editor3-last = Wilson | editor3-link = Don E. Wilson | title = Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 3. Primates | publisher = Lynx Edicions | location = Barcelona | year = 2013 | pages = 176–181 | isbn = 978-84-96553-89-7}}</ref> Less commonly known, a grooming claw is also found on the second pedal digit of [[night monkey]]s (''Aotus''), [[titi]]s (''Callicebus''), and possibly other [[New World monkey]]s.<ref name=Maiolino>{{Cite journal | last1 = Maiolino | first1 = S. | last2 = Boyer | first2 = D. M. | last3 = Rosenberger | first3 = A. | doi = 10.1002/ar.21498 | title = Morphological Correlates of the Grooming Claw in Distal Phalanges of Platyrrhines and Other Primates: A Preliminary Study | journal = The Anatomical Record | volume = 294 | issue = 12 | pages = 1975–90 | year = 2011 | pmid = 22042603| doi-access = free }}</ref>
⚫
The first toe is the large one, the equivalent of a human [[Hallux|big toe]]. However, in all these prosimians the foot is more or less hand-like. The first toe is opposable, like a human [[thumb]], and the second and third toes correspond approximately to the index and middle fingers.


⚫
The first toe is the large one, the equivalent of a human [[Hallux|big toe]]. However, in all these prosimians the foot is more or less hand-like. The first toe is opposable, like a human [[thumb]], and the second and third toes correspond approximately to the index and middle fingers.
⚫
Like a [[claw]] or a [[Nail (anatomy)|nail]], the toilet-claw is also made of [[keratin]]. It resembles a claw in both its lateral compression and longitudinal curvature. However, the tip is not as pointed, and it always stands at a steeper angle, a characteristic that also distinguishes it from a nail.<ref name=evolution/>


⚫
Like a claw or a nail, the grooming claw is also made of [[keratin]]. It resembles a claw in both its lateral compression and longitudinal curvature. However, the tip is not as pointed, and it always stands at a steeper angle, a characteristic that also distinguishes it from a nail.<ref name=evolution/>
==Etymology==

The term for this prosimian anatomical structure comes from its function, which is to assist in grooming or toilet functions. The term ''[[wikt:toilet|toilet]]'', as used in American English, has changed over the past century. Historically, it was used to refer to personal grooming, not a lavatory device. Due to changes in the perception of the term, some sources have started to use the term ''grooming claw'' instead. However, the scientific literature still strongly favors the original term.


==Function==
==Function==


The toilet-claw is used in personal grooming to rake through the fur, particularly where an individual cannot reach with its mouth and [[toothcomb]].
The grooming claw is used in personal grooming to rake through the fur or scratch, particularly around the head and neck.<ref name=Maiolino/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
{{commonscat|Toilet claws}}
* {{commons category-inline|Toilet claws}}


[[Category:Primate anatomy]]
[[Category:Primate anatomy]]
[[Category:Nails (anatomy)]]
[[Category:Nails (anatomy)]]

{{primate-stub}}

[[et:Tualettküünis]]
[[fr:Griffe de toilette]]

Latest revision as of 21:59, 27 January 2024

Close-up of a ruffed lemur's foot, showing the toilet-claw on the second toe and nails on all other toes

A grooming claw (or toilet claw) is the specialized claw or nail on the foot of certain primates, used for personal grooming. All prosimians have a grooming claw, but the digit that is specialized in this manner varies.[1] Tarsiers have a grooming claw on second and third toes. In the suborder Strepsirrhini, which includes lemurs, galagos and lorises, the grooming claw is on the second toe.[2] Less commonly known, a grooming claw is also found on the second pedal digit of night monkeys (Aotus), titis (Callicebus), and possibly other New World monkeys.[3]

The first toe is the large one, the equivalent of a human big toe. However, in all these prosimians the foot is more or less hand-like. The first toe is opposable, like a human thumb, and the second and third toes correspond approximately to the index and middle fingers.

Like a claw or a nail, the grooming claw is also made of keratin. It resembles a claw in both its lateral compression and longitudinal curvature. However, the tip is not as pointed, and it always stands at a steeper angle, a characteristic that also distinguishes it from a nail.[1]

Function

[edit]

The grooming claw is used in personal grooming to rake through the fur or scratch, particularly around the head and neck.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Soligo, C.; Müller, A. E. (1999). "Nails and claws in primate evolution". Journal of Human Evolution. 36 (1): 97–114. doi:10.1006/jhev.1998.0263. PMID 9924135.
  2. ^ Schwitzer, C; Mittermeier, R. A.; Louis Jr., E. E.; Richardson, M. C. (2013). "Family Daubentoniidae: Aye-aye". In Mittermeier, Russell A.; Rylands, Anthony B.; Wilson, Don E. (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 3. Primates. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 176–181. ISBN 978-84-96553-89-7.
  3. ^ a b Maiolino, S.; Boyer, D. M.; Rosenberger, A. (2011). "Morphological Correlates of the Grooming Claw in Distal Phalanges of Platyrrhines and Other Primates: A Preliminary Study". The Anatomical Record. 294 (12): 1975–90. doi:10.1002/ar.21498. PMID 22042603.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grooming_claw&oldid=1199751550"