Evaluation of age determination techniques for gray wolves

摘要: We evaluated tooth wear, cranial suture fusion, closure of the canine pulp cavity, and cementum annuli as methods age determination for known- unknown-age gray wolves (Canis lupus) from Alaska, Minnesota, Ontario, Isle Royale, Michigan. developed classes wear. used measurement data obtained known-age captive wild to generate a regression equation predict based on degree cavity. Cementum were studied in animals, calcified, unstained thin sections found provide clear annulus patterns under polarized transmitted light. Annuli counts varied among observers, partly because variation pattern different regions cementum. This emphasizes need standardized models analysis. Cranial fusion is limited utility determination, while wear can be estimate adult within 4 years. Wolves <7 years old could aged 1-3 with Although inaccuracy remains problem, cementum-annulus most promising means estimating wolves.