Which dental trait distinguishes frugivores?

Molars with low, rounded cusps are characteristic of frugivores because these traits facilitate the processing of soft fruits. Frugivores primarily consume fruit, which requires a different type of dental adaptation compared to animals with diets that include harder materials, such as leaves or seeds. The low, rounded cusps help in crushing and grinding the soft pulp of fruit, making it easier to extract the nutrients.

In contrast, molars with high, pointed cusps are more suited to animals that consume a diet high in insects or meat, where tearing and shearing abilities are necessary. Flat tooth surfaces for grinding are generally associated with animals that consume coarse plant material, such as grasses or fibrous leaves, requiring a different wear-pattern and chewing motion. Cusp-less molars are uncommon and not typically associated with any specific dietary preference related to fruit digestion. Thus, the adaptation of low, rounded cusps is specifically advantageous for frugivores in their dietary needs.