Age estimation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) using different methods (Case study: Minoo Island and Khabr National Park, Iran)

The aim of this research was to estimate the age of wild boar (Sus scrofa) using various methods and examine the correlation between body measurements and age classes of the species. Twenty four wild boars were collected in Minoo Island and Khabr National Park during mid January 2010 until the end of March 2011. The following techniques were used for estimating the age of wild boars: The dental formula of different ages and the growth patterns of tooth، patterns of tooth eruption and wear and observing juxtaposition of spina ristae facialis relative to the position of upper molar (M3). In total، the age of these specimens ranged about six to 108 months. The most observed abundance of age classes were the ages between 1. 5 - 3 years. Spearman test showed that there was a significant correlation among different techniques of age estimation (P<0. 05). The results of linear regression indicated that there were significant and highly significant correlations between age classes and body measurements (P<0. 05; P<0. 01).