CHANGES IN SHAPE OF THE FIRST MOLAR IN HORSE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY
P. M. PARÉS-CASANOVA *
Department of Animal Production, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198, Lleida Catalunya, Spain
C. MORROS
Department of Animal Production, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198, Lleida Catalunya, Spain.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Twenty-five edentate skull specimens were obtained from horses belonging to the ‘Catalan Pyrenean Horse’ breed, aged more than 8-12 months, and assessed by eruption of maxillary (M1): only M1 erupted (n=3), M1 and M2 erupted (n=4) and M3 (total molar series) erupted (n=18). Size and shape of occlusal surface of M1 were evaluated by means of geometric morphometric methods using 6 landmarks. No differences in size were observed between age groups, but shape differences appeared, mainly centred on the oral aspect. These results suggest that the occlusal outline pattern does not retain its overall shape during the horse's life.
Keywords: Cavall Pirinenc Català, cheek teeth, molar size/shape, Pyrenean horse, skeletochronology