AGE-DETERMINATION OF EURASIAN PINE MARTENS BY RADIOGRAPHS OF TEETH IN-SITU

I describe a method for determining the age of Eurasian pine martens ( Martes martes) based on radiographs of lower canine teeth in situ. A r atio of pulp width to tooth width (% pulp), in combination with date o f capture, correctly classified 99% of the sample (n = 190) as either juveniles (<12 months) or older animals (greater than or equal to 12 m onths). Percent pulp could not always be used to separate yearlings (1 2-23 months) from adults (greater than or equal to 24 months); in the procedure I used, the determined age was accompanied by an estimation of its accuracy. The method was developed on carcasses and applied to live specimens.