MANDIBULAR LESIONS IN THE WESTERN ARCTIC CARIBOU HERD OF ALASKA

Lesions were noted in 7.0 and 4.4% of mandible pairs collected from the Western Arctic caribou [Rangifer tarandos] herd of northwestern Alaska, USA, in 1959-61 and 1975-77, respectively. The prevalence of mandibular lesions in the 1959-61 collection is probably the highest reported in wild caribou herds of North America. The frequency of occurrence of mandibular lesions was highest in caribou 7 yr of age and older and there was a higher prevalence in adult males than in adult females. Trauma, dental abscesses and periodontal disease were the probable causes of most lesions. Pathogenic bacteria were not isolated from mandibular lesions from an 11 yr old female. Of 98 mandibles with lesions, 33 (33.7%) were missing 1 tooth; 10 (10.2%) were missing more than 1 tooth. The 1st molar (M1) was the most common tooth lost in association with lesions; the loss of 2 or more teeth was more common among premolars than among molars.