Abstract
Skulls from 91 California mountain lions (Puma concolor couguar) were examined macroscopically and radiographically. The majority of the skulls were from young adult animals (57.1%). The skull specimens were from 42 male (46.1%) and 34 female (37.4%) animals, while the gender was unknown for the remainder. The majority (94.5%) of teeth were present for examination. Only 11 teeth were identified as absent congenitally; five of these teeth were maxillary first molar teeth and three were maxillary second premolar teeth. Abnormal tooth morphology was identified in 3.5% of teeth. The most common abnormality in tooth form was abnormally large crowns of the maxillary first molar teeth. Teeth with an abnormal number of roots were uncommon (n = 21). Ninety-one teeth were found to have an abnormal number of roots, most often two-rooted maxillary first molar teeth instead of the expected one root. The most prevalent dental lesions found in the California mountain lion were attrition/abrasion (93.4%), tooth fractures (80.2%) and periodontitis (38.5%). Less common dental lesions were tooth resorption (n = 32 teeth) and endodontal disease (n = 29 teeth).
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 251-263 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Comparative Pathology |
Volume | 156 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2017 |
Keywords
- California mountain lion
- dental pathology
- Puma concolor couguar
- temporomandibular joint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- veterinary(all)