Skip to main content
SLU:s publikationsdatabas (SLUpub)

Sammanfattning

The aims of this study were to investigate dental anomalies, variations and pathology in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Sweden. Heads from 55 free-ranging red foxes, all obtained through legal hunt, from the south and western parts of Sweden, were examined macroscopically and radiographically for dental anomalies, variations, and pathology. Seventeen foxes which correspond to 31% of the specimens had an incomplete dentition. In total, 43 teeth were missing leaving 2267 out of 2310 teeth for examination. The three most common macroscopic findings in the 2267 teeth were: attrition/abrasion (n = 149, 6.5%), uncomplicated crown fractures (n = 130, 5.7%) and localized enamel defects (n = 49, 2.2%). The three most common radiographic findings were radicular developmental grooves (n = 313, 13.8%), periapical radiolucency (n = 134, 5.9%) and dilaceration (n = 52, 2.3%). Malocclusions were found in four foxes (7.3%). No deciduous teeth or mixed dentition were observed. Radicular developmental grooves and dilacerations in tooth roots were common findings in the examined foxes. Radicular developmental grooves are to be considered as normal features and dilaceration as a variation of tooth morphology rather than anomalies. As in many other carnivores, dental trauma was a common finding. Attrition, abrasion, uncomplicated and complicated crown fractures, and their consequences, may have adverse implications on the red fox in Swedens ability to hunt, and its quality of life.

Nyckelord

Abrasion; Attrition; Dental radiography; Dental fracture; Dental trauma; Radicular developmental groove

Publicerad i

Mammal Research
2025, volym: 70, nummer: 2, sidor: 183-194
Utgivare: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU författare

UKÄ forskningsämne

Zoologi

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-025-00791-4

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142541