Age Estimation of African Lions Panthera leo by Ratio of Tooth Areas
Improved age estimation of African lions Panthera leo is needed to address a number of pressing conservation issues. Here we present a formula for estimating lion age to within six months of known age based on measuring the extent of pulp closure from X rays, or Ratio Of tooth AReas (ROAR) Derived from measurements taken from lions aged 3 13 years for which exact ages were known, the formula explains 92% of the total variance. The method of calculating the pulp/tooth area ratio, which has been used extensively in forensic science, is novel in the study of lion aging. As a quantifiable measure, ROAR offers improved lion age estimates for population modeling and investigations of age related mortality, and may assist national and international wildlife authorities in judging compliance with regulatory measures involving age.
PloS one