Abstract
Skeletal material of many large mammals such as wild and domestic swine (Sus scrofa) frequently is collected under conditions that provide no information about the sex of the individual. This is especially true of archaeological deposits and collection of skeletal remains at Recent or prehistoric butchery sites. In Sus scrofa, adult canines (C 1/1) erupt at 9-13 months of age and are evergrowing (Barrett, 1978; Hennig, 1981; Matschke, 1967; Pope, 1934; Sisson and Grossman, 1938; Snethlage, 1982). Herring (1972) described tusks of male suids as invariably larger and more robust than those of females. Behavioral differentiation of sex roles apparently is the ultimate cause of the sexual dimorphism observed in suids (Herring, 1972). In this report, we describe a simple method for determining the sex of specimens of Sus scrofa, based solely on morphology of permanent canine teeth. The tendency of adult teeth and their associated bony sockets to persist intact for long periods of time, even in archaeological deposits, makes them particularly useful for such determinations.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
