Date of Award
12-2004
Honors Thesis Number
13246
Major
Zoology
Faculty Advisor
Feldhamer, George
Abstract
Samples of 510 gray fox and 150 red fox from southern Illinois were examined for the presence of congenital dental abnormalities. Anomalies were found in 177 gray fox (34.7%) and 25 red fox (16.6%). The most frequent anomalies were oligodonty in both species. The major case of oligodonty was in m3. Anomalies affecting the placement of the tooth (rotations, misalignments) were the next most prominent abnormalities observed. One red fox showed polydonty, and two gray fox showed varying degrees of connation. Other anomalies were seen infrequently. The results from the red fox population are consistent with previous studies; however, the lack of information available on gray fox prevented such a comparison. A significant difference was seen between the proportion of anomalous gray fox and anomalous red fox. The results of this study could not account for this difference. The predominance of m3 and first premolar anomalies suggested that these teeth lack in importance and are subjected to greater variation.