Teeth eruption pattern in red deer (Cervus elephus hispanicus) in southern Spain

Abstract

Permanent teeth eruption pattern for deer has been established by examining the jaws of 158 animals harvested in Sierra Morena between 1993 and 1997, and of 15 fawns living in captivity. The permanent teeth eruption sequence is as follows: M1, I1, M2, I2, C, I3, I4, premolars, and M3. Eruption time is: M1, at 6 months of age; I1 at 14-15 months of age and I2 at 17-18 months of age. I3 appears before I4, but both between 19 and 25 months of age. M3 is the last tooth to grow, at 31-32 months, full eruption being completed at 42-44 months of age. Age can be determined in this species up to the age of three and a half years by studying gradual changes in teeth. In the present paper we report cases of delay in the replacement of some permanent teeth. 18.75% showed a delay in the replacement of the first incisor (I1). Results have been compared with other studies and the differences found are discussed. Great differences in eruption time were observed for the first molar (M1) and for the third cusp of the third molar (M3). As for the eruption sequence, our data indicate that 85.71% of the deer are still developing the second molar while their incisors are already functional.