Size frequency analysis of tooth wear in spotted hyaenas <i>Crocuta crocuta</i>

Abstract

The relative degree of attrition of the second lower premolar, in conjunction with suture coalescence and rate of closure of the pulp cavities of canine teeth, has been used to develop an ageclass schedule for spotted hyaenas, consisting of seven age classes ranging from the first year to 16 years and over. A size frequency analysis of the distribution of the areas of the occlusal surface of PM₂ has been used to describe the different modes of wear, and chronological age limits are assigned to each mode by interpolation from the age-class schedule of Kruuk (1972).