A Morphological and Morphometric Dental Analysis as a Forensic Tool to Identify the Iberian Wolf (Canis Lupus Signatus)

Depredation by the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is currently thought to be a problem in some areas of Spain. However, there are few technically validated forensic tools available to determine the veracity of claims with a high degree of scientific confidence, which is important given that suc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals
Main Authors: Toledo González, Victor Antonio, Ortega Ojeda, Fernando Ernesto, Fonseca Platini, Gabriel, García Ruiz, Carmen, Navarro Cáceres, Pablo, Pérez Lloret, Pilar, Marín García, María Del Pilar
Other Authors: Universidad de Alcalá. Departamento de Física y Matemáticas, Universidad de Alcalá. Departamento de Química Analítica, Quím Física e Ingeniería Química
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
african wild dog
bone modification
wolves
damage
identification
conservation
predation
patterns
behavior
females
Zoología
Zoology
Base Point
Canis lupus
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10017/46108
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10060975
Description
Summary:Depredation by the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is currently thought to be a problem in some areas of Spain. However, there are few technically validated forensic tools available to determine the veracity of claims with a high degree of scientific confidence, which is important given that such attacks may lead to compensation. The analysis of bite marks on attacked animals could provide scientific evidence to help identify the offender. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the morphological and morphometric characteristics of Iberian wolf dentition. This data collection would serve as a base-point for a more accurate identification of the wolves thorough their bite marks. For the first time, 36 dental variables have been studied in wolves' skulls, employing univariate and multivariate analyses. The general morphological dental characteristics of wolves are very similar in terms of their dental formula and tooth structure to other canids, like domestic dogs. Sex differentiation was evident, principally in terms of the maxillary distance between the palatal surfaces of the canine teeth (UbC) and the width of the left mandibular canine teeth (LlCWd). New morphometric reference information was obtained that can aid the forensic identification of bite marks caused by the Iberian wolf with greater confidence.

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