Age Estimation of African Lions Panthera leo by Ratio of Tooth Areas

Paula A White, Dennis Ikanda, Luigi Ferrante, Philippe Chardonnet, Pascal Mesochina and Roberto Cameriere

PLOS ONE, 2016, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Improved age estimation of African lions Panthera leo is needed to address a number of pressing conservation issues. Here we present a formula for estimating lion age to within six months of known age based on measuring the extent of pulp closure from X-rays, or Ratio Of tooth AReas (ROAR). Derived from measurements taken from lions aged 3–13 years for which exact ages were known, the formula explains 92% of the total variance. The method of calculating the pulp/tooth area ratio, which has been used extensively in forensic science, is novel in the study of lion aging. As a quantifiable measure, ROAR offers improved lion age estimates for population modeling and investigations of age-related mortality, and may assist national and international wildlife authorities in judging compliance with regulatory measures involving age.

Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0153648

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153648

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