A study led by researchers from the Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C) at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) shows that the dimensions of a single tooth can provide valuable information about the body size and sex of the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.
Published in the journal The Anatomical Record, the work analyzed the first lower molar, or carnassial tooth, from 78 Iberian wolf specimens, sourced from scientific collections and collected between 1900 and 2006. The researchers demonstrated that the length of this tooth can be used to estimate the body mass of these animals. On average, the estimates deviated by only 2.4 kg from the actual body mass.
The analysis also revealed a clear sexual dimorphism: males have, on average, body masses 21.4% higher than females based on the recorded weights, and 11.6% higher when mass is estimated from the tooth. The tooth morphometry also enabled distinguishing males from females with an accuracy of approximately 79%.
“Our study demonstrates that a single tooth can preserve valuable information for the biology, ecology and evolution of the Iberian wolf, especially when the skeleton is not available,” explains Leonardo Cotts, first author of the study, a researcher at CE3C of Sciences ULisboa and collaborator at the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC).
The methodology developed could be particularly useful in studying museum specimens and remains found in the field, allowing researchers to obtain information about the size and sex of the animals without the need for a living animal or complete carcasses. This approach could contribute to ecological studies, population monitoring and to the conservation of the Iberian wolf.
“Knowing the variation in body size between males and females is important for understanding the ecology of the species, namely the relationship between size, behavior and resource use,” adds Maria da Luz Mathias, a researcher at CE3C of Sciences ULisboa and a collaborator of the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC).
The study also analyzed possible differences between wolves from the regions to the north and to the south of the Douro River, not finding significant differences in the estimated body mass for adult males. Compared with other canids of the genus Canis, the Iberian wolf exhibits an intermediate average body mass, being larger than species such as the coyote and the jackal, but smaller than some larger wolves, such as the Canadian gray wolf.
“The results of this investigation highlight the importance of museums beyond their exhibition function, demonstrating the value of scientific collections as an invaluable heritage for biodiversity research and conservation,” adds Leonardo Cotts.
This research was conducted through a bilateral partnership between the University of Lisbon and the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and was funded by the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
