Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania
Sex identification is often challenging, especially when only skeletal remains are available. While previous research has primarily focused on skull measurements, dental traits have received less attention. This study aimed to measure the upper and lower canines, molars, and tooth rows of raccoon do...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Eugenijus Jurgelėnas Sigita Kerzienė Linas Daugnora Daniel Makowiecki |
| author_facet | Eugenijus Jurgelėnas Sigita Kerzienė Linas Daugnora Daniel Makowiecki |
| author_sort | Eugenijus Jurgelėnas |
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| description | Sex identification is often challenging, especially when only skeletal remains are available. While previous research has primarily focused on skull measurements, dental traits have received less attention. This study aimed to measure the upper and lower canines, molars, and tooth rows of raccoon dogs in Lithuania to examine sexual dimorphism and analyze the correlation between different teeth and tooth row measurements. A total of 90 skulls with lower jaws of adult raccoon dogs were examined, including 55 males and 35 females. Osteometric analysis followed standard protocols, with canine measurements adapted using a method tailored to the dentition of carnivorous species. Of all the study measurements, the canine teeth demonstrated the most significant sex differences. The correlation analysis showed a strong correlation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) between the dimensions of the upper molars P<sup>4</sup>, M<sup>1</sup>, and M<sup>2</sup>. The upper tooth rows were strongly correlated (<i>p</i> < 0.001) with the dimensions of the P<sup>4</sup> and canines. Lower molar correlations were weaker than upper ones, and lower tooth rows showed less correlation with tooth measurements. These findings indicate that molars and tooth rows are not reliable for sex determination in raccoon dogs. However, the observed sexual dimorphism in canine teeth may offer insights for future zooarchaeological and comparative anatomical studies. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-24c16307c1a345c8a2e0c7dc1a9d42b62025-08-20T03:13:45ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-04-0112433810.3390/vetsci12040338Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in LithuaniaEugenijus Jurgelėnas0Sigita Kerzienė1Linas Daugnora2Daniel Makowiecki3Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Animal Breeding, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, LithuaniaInstitute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology, Klaipėda University, Herkaus Manto Str. 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, LithuaniaDepartment of Historical Sciences, Institute of Archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Szosa Bydgoska 44/48, 87-100 Torun, PolandSex identification is often challenging, especially when only skeletal remains are available. While previous research has primarily focused on skull measurements, dental traits have received less attention. This study aimed to measure the upper and lower canines, molars, and tooth rows of raccoon dogs in Lithuania to examine sexual dimorphism and analyze the correlation between different teeth and tooth row measurements. A total of 90 skulls with lower jaws of adult raccoon dogs were examined, including 55 males and 35 females. Osteometric analysis followed standard protocols, with canine measurements adapted using a method tailored to the dentition of carnivorous species. Of all the study measurements, the canine teeth demonstrated the most significant sex differences. The correlation analysis showed a strong correlation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) between the dimensions of the upper molars P<sup>4</sup>, M<sup>1</sup>, and M<sup>2</sup>. The upper tooth rows were strongly correlated (<i>p</i> < 0.001) with the dimensions of the P<sup>4</sup> and canines. Lower molar correlations were weaker than upper ones, and lower tooth rows showed less correlation with tooth measurements. These findings indicate that molars and tooth rows are not reliable for sex determination in raccoon dogs. However, the observed sexual dimorphism in canine teeth may offer insights for future zooarchaeological and comparative anatomical studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/338raccoon dogteeth measurementstooth rowssexual dimorphism |
| spellingShingle | Eugenijus Jurgelėnas Sigita Kerzienė Linas Daugnora Daniel Makowiecki Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania Veterinary Sciences raccoon dog teeth measurements tooth rows sexual dimorphism |
| title | Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania |
| title_full | Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania |
| title_fullStr | Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania |
| title_short | Morphometric Analysis of the Common Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) Teeth in Lithuania |
| title_sort | morphometric analysis of the common raccoon dog i nyctereutes procyonoides i teeth in lithuania |
| topic | raccoon dog teeth measurements tooth rows sexual dimorphism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/338 |
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