Dental cellular cementum deposition (DCD) was studied in black bears (Ursus americanus) in Arizona between 1973 and 1990. Cub production and cub survival were monitored for 17 adult (>4 years) females. First premolars were later collected from these females; 11 had received intramuscular oxytetracycline injections to label cementum. Annual DCD layer measurements were made from transverse sections of first premolars. Dental cellular cementum deposition measurements were standardized by calculating a proportional width for each cementum layer to compensate for individual differences in cementum growth rate. Age effects on cementum growth rate were removed prior to analyses. Pairwise comparisons, after individual and age differences were removed, revealed that female DCD was reduced (P = 0.003) during years when cubs were successfully raised compared to years when the same females produced no cubs. Female DCD was also reduced (P = 0.018) during years of successful cub rearing compared to years when cubs were produced but lost. A predictive model with confidence intervals was developed to allow estimation of reproductive history for female black bears from dental cementum deposition.
- Volume 9
- Issue
- Pages 205-212
- Publication Date 1 January 1994
- DOI 10.2307/3872703
- File Size 330.30 KB
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