TOOTH LOSSES AND ANOMALIES IN THE WOLF (CANIS-LUPUS)

We observed tooth losses (and subsequent alveolar resorptions) and oth er cases of anodonty and polydonty and anomalies in the shape and occl usion of the teeth in skulls of wolves from the former Soviet Union. R esorptions increase in number with age, but do not seem to have much o f an effect on individual survival (they probably do not affect huntin g), and are found in half of individuals over 8 years of age. The high est numbers of resorptions, as well as cases of polydonty and dental a nomalies, were in the premolars. This suggests that the premolars are not greatly subject to selective pressure. At least 6.8 % of the skull s have malformed teeth or malocclusions.