The flourishment of conodont diversity through the Paleozoic is evidenced by the strong diversification of the shape of the elements composing their feeding apparatus. Among the different elements that compose the feeding apparatus, the platform elements (P1) are the most robust. However, the P1 elements also represent the most posterior dental elements of the apparatus, performing therefore the ultimate stage of food processing before ingestion of the food bowl. Thus, characterizing the shape of these elements across various species of conodonts could be relevant to decipher the diversity of feeding behavior among this group. Here we use topographic indices initially developed for the description of teeth relief (RFI, Slope), orientation (OPCr) and sharpness (ARC, DNE) to discriminate quantitatively P1 element shapes among conodont communities of the Late Famennian from the Montagne Noire Area (south France). We evidence methodological considerations such as voxel size impact on topographic indices that should be imperatively considered before conducing these methods on conodonts. Under several homogeneous conditions, this quantification of shape diversity, even on poorly damaged specimens, could bring new clues for the understanding of P1 elements kinematics and feeding strategies among conodonts.

牙形刺的繁盛构成其进食装置的元素形状的强烈多样化证明了古生代的多样性。在构成喂食装置的不同元件中，平台元件 (P1) 是最坚固的。然而，P1元件也代表该装置的最后的牙科元件，因此在摄入食物碗之前执行食物加工的最终阶段。因此，表征不同牙形刺物种中这些元素的形状可能有助于破译该群体摄食行为的多样性。在这里，我们使用最初开发的地形指数来描述牙齿起伏（RFI、坡度）、方向（OPCr）和锐度（ARC、DNE）定量区分黑山地区（法国南部）法门纪晚期牙形刺群落中的 P1 元素形状。我们证明了方法上的考虑因素，例如体素大小对地形指数的影响，在对牙形刺进行这些方法之前应该必须考虑这些因素。在几种均质条件下，这种形状多样性的量化，即使是在受损程度较低的标本上，也可以为理解牙形刺中 P1 元素运动学和摄食策略带来新的线索。