Age in Tayassu pecari according to dental eruption

The determination of the age composition of a population is considered to be a fundamental parameter for the analysis of life-history strategy of the species. In the Tayassuidae, the determination of relative age has been primarily based on molar tooth wear, sometimes combined with other external characteristics, such as hair color or body size. The present study examined the dental composition of white-lipped peccariesTayassu pecari (Link, 1795) . Through the determination of the erupted dental pattern and its relation to the body weight of the animal, six age classes were established. The presence of molar teeth was considered the most accurate parameter for establishing age classes for white-lipped peccaries.