Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine. Vol.

LXII (2)
ISSN 2065-1295; ISSN 2343-9394 (CD-ROM); ISSN 2067-3663 (Online); ISSN-L 2065-1295
MORPHOLOGICAL PARTICULARITIES OF THE TEETH CROWN
IN GOLDEN JACKAL (Canis aureus moreoticus)

Florin STAN

University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Veterinary

Medicine, Calea Manastur No. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Abstract

A thorough understanding of dental and oral anatomy is essential for a proper recognition of all members of the
carnivore species and to recognize the various signs of disease. As long as the golden jackal spreading in Eastern
Europe is steadily increasing, this study aims to present a detailed description of morphological features of golden
jackal dental anatomy in order to be used in clinical practice and research. The anatomical crowns of the teeth from
superior and inferior jaws of seven golden jackals were examined. The complete dental formula for the permanent
dentition in golden jackal is I 3/3 C1/1 PM4/4 M2/3 x 2=42teeth. The inferior dental arch is anisognathic, narrower
and shorter compared to the superior dental arch. The superior incisors are located slightly rostral from the inferior
incisors. Their size increases from the central to the lateral incisors, each incisor crown showing a prominent cingulum
and three tubercles. The canine teeth were similar in length and width, having a simple crown. The first premolar is the
smallest on both dental arches, having one tubercle, while the second and third premolars have in addition a small
distal tubercle. The superior forth premolar and the first inferior molar form the carnassials tooth. The superior
carnassial has three distinguishing lobes: paracone, metacone and protocone. The upper molars have a short, wide and
highly rough anatomical crown. The inferior carnassial is the strongest tooth with a three-lobed pattern. Inferior
molars are smaller than those of the superior arch. The morphology of the crown of the golden jackal teeth is similar to
that described in dogs.

Key words: teeth crown, golden jackal, dentition.

INTRODUCTION occurrence of certain specific characteristics of

the dentition. Every tooth, no matter its form
The golden jackal is the most typical member and function has the same elements. The
of the genus Canis, having a medium size and structures are crown, enamel, cementum,
no outstanding features. Despite to its dentin, pulp, root and periodontal ligament.
phenotypic and genotypic features the golden Anatomical crown is the part of the tooth that is
jackal resembles the grey wolf and coyote occlusally located to the dentino-enamel
rather than the black-backed jackal, side-striped junction, or the portion of the dentin of a tooth
jackal and Ethiopian wolf. Because of this, the that is covered by enamel. The clinical crown is
most frequent comparisons were made with the portion of a tooth that is above the gingival
wolfs. Nevertheless, in scientific literature, margin or the exposed part of a tooth within the
there are few anatomical reports of various mouth. In the present study has been performed
anatomical systems of the golden jackal, and a a detailed description of the clinical crown of
detailed morphological description of it has not the teeth in golden jackal in comparison with
been made. Compared to wolves, the golden the domestic dog. Domestic dogs possess a
jackals’projections of the skull is less heterodont, a diphyodont dentition with
developed. Even though the canine teeth are anelodont and brachyodont teeth (Evans and
large and strong, they are thinner than wolfs’ De Lahunta 2013). Compared to dogs, horses
and the carnassials are weaker. Its relatively have hypsodont teeth (Konig et al. 2014).
short facial region, weaker teeth row are related Rabbits have heterodont, diphyodont, with all
to the jackal's diet, composed of small birds, teeth being elodont (aradicular hypsodont)
rodents, small vertebrates, insects and carrions. (Quesenberry and Carpenter 2012, Stan 2014).
Denied carrion or prey, it feeds on fruits and Those three examples are the most
seeds. This eating behaviour has imposed the representative among animals. The dental
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formula for primitive carnivores consists of 44 wide oral slit, starting from the oral angles
teeth (three incisors, one canine, four premolars reaching close to the carnassials.
and three molars in each quadrant) but the The dental formula contained 42 teeth in all
evolved carnivore’s dentition shows several subjects:
adaptations to diet (Evans and de Lahunta, 3 1 4 2
2013). Domestic dog’s teeth have short crown, I : ; C : ; P : ; M :  21  2  42.
3 1 4 3
covered only by a thick layer of enamel,
obvious neck and long roots covered by cement There were no differences in shape, number
(Barone 1997). and disposition between the dentition of males
and females. In dogs, Lorber et al. (1979) found
MATERIALS AND METHODS differences between male and female canine
crown, male having longer and wider canine
Seven adult golden jackals (Canis aureus crowns.
moreoticus) were examined, four male and Generally, in mammals the shape, position and
three female. The subjects were hunting even number of teeth can differ according to
harvest, being part of an ongoing study of the age, breed and subject (Barone 1997). Thus,
anatomical description on various systems in canines have 32 decidual and 42 permanent
golden jackal. The oral cavity and teeth were teeth. In diphyodont mammals the variations of
examined before and after exposure of the oral number and shape are obvious, especially
cavity. To expose the oral cavity, an incision regarding the decidual and permanent dentition.
was made on each side, starting from lips
commissure, in horizontal line and parallel to
the mandibular arch, followed by a vertical
incision, along the recurved mandibular branch.
The entire study was conducted in accordance
with the Protocol on Medical Ethics and in
compliance with the Directives 63/2010 of the
European Parliament and of the Council on the
Protection of Animals Used in Scientific
Research.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The particular anatomical configuration of the Figure 2. The short incisors crown compared with the
large crowns of the majority of the teeth
viscerocranium in jackal gives the oral cavity a
long and narrow appearance (Figure 1). The

Figure 3. The short incisors crown with central

Figure 1. Viscerocraniumof the golden jackal with prominent lobe, visible on the central incisors-arrows.
elongated appearance of the oral cavity. Wide oral slit Their size increased from central-1 to middle-2 and
exceeds the carnassials plan-arrow lateral-3 incisor teeth.

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In canines, when the first premolar is
considered deciduous, the dental formula is as
follows:
3 1 4
i : ; c : ; m :  16  2  32,
3 1 4

In studied subjects, the incisor teeth (Dentes

incisivi) had a short crown (Corona dentis)
compared to the large crown of the premolar
and molar teeth (Figure 2 and 3). More
developed on the superior arch, their size
increased from the central to lateral incisor,
being rostral slightly arched (Figure 4). Their Figure 5. The tooth wear starting from the central lobe
crowns were flattened and laterally of incisors leave the occlusal surface, thick and
compressed, heavilyfixed. The oclusal border straight. Note the obvious reduction of the crowns
starting from the middle incisors and stump
(Margo occlusalis) of the crown has shown appearance of teeth
three salient cusps (lobes), the middle one
being more prominent (Figure 4). The smooth by the two tubercles that marked the end of the
vestibular surface (Facies vestibuaris), convex cingulum (Figure 4). These tubercles were
in all directions was slightly narrowed towards separated from the central cusps by a small
the neck of the teeth (Figure 4).The lingual notch.Therefore, this three-lobed appearence,
surface (Facies lingualis), slightly swollen near with a prominent central lobe like a „clover”
the neck (Cervix dentis) showed a strong girdle shape or like a „lily flower” is similar with the
(Cingulum) in all subjects. Its extremities from pattern described in canines (Evans and de
the base of the cuting edge were more obvious Lahunta 2013). This disposition announces the
and formed on each side a small tubercle. The three tubercules pattern of the premolars and
cingulum concavity delimited a small recess molars. The incisors neck was well marked in
which subdivided the large prominent central all subjects.
tubercle. This tubercule was disposed along the In older subjects (2 subjects) it was noticed a
cutting edge.The large contact surfaces (Facies conspicuous wear of the teeth (Figure 5). The
contactus) from the incisor neck show a sharp wearing was started primarily on the cutting
reduction before their ending on the cingulum edge of the central lobe (on the ogiva), which
extremities. The oclusal border, like a delicate was shortened up to the two tubers on the edges
pointed arch (ogive), was surrounded at its base (Figure 5). In this way, the occlusal edge

Figure 4. Superior incisors (1,2,3) with smooth,

Figure 6. Superior incisors (1,2,3) are located rostral
convex appearance of vestibular face. Strong cingulum
to the inferior incisors (1', 2', 3'). The superior canine
on the lingual side-up arrows delineated two tubercles
tooth (4) is separated by lateral superior incisor by an
on its extremities-horizontal arrows, and a long,
interdental space, matching the inferior canine tooth
narrow central lobe of the lateral incisors-down
(4'), in scissor like appearance
arrows. IP-incisive papilla

46
became straight and thick, the “lily flower” (Figure 6 and 7). Also, from the superior lateral
disappeared and the levelling appeared. The incisor to the superior last premolar, the upper
crown was strongly reduced, taking the form of and lower teeth alternate in their disposition in
a stub, the incisors distancing themselves from the dental arch. This type of dentition is called
one another. Gums also suffered a marked "scissor" dentition and is described especially
process of retraction, emphasizing the in dogs (Evans and de Lahunta 2013).
appearance of stump incisors. The wear was Moreover, the central incisors only partially
most evident on the central incisors, cover their counterparts and the adjacent parts
progressing towards the middle and the lateral of the inferior middle incisors. In turn, the
incisors (Figure 5). The wear process described middle superior incisors cover the occlusal
here is similar to that of carnivores (Evans and edge of the two inferior lateral incisors. The
de Lahunta 2013). There were few differences superior lateral incisors were placed between
of size, pattern and disposition between the the inferior lateral incisors and inferior canine
superior and inferior incisors. Regarding the teeth, a small diastema separating them from
incisors dimensions, the central were smaller the upper canines. The dolichocephalics canine
than the middle, which in turn were smaller breeds retain this disposition, while
than the lateral. The obvious difference was brachiocephalic breeds have a marked inferior
shown on the upper jaw. Upper incisors were prognathism, in which the superior incisors and
almost two times stronger than those of the canines are placed more at varied distances
same rank from the lower arch (Figure 4, 5 and behind their counterparts, reducing their
6). Prominent cingulum and stronger central effectiveness of cutting (Barone 1997,
lobe, well separated from the marginal lobes, Verstraete and Tsugawa 2015). On each jaw,
were well defined characteristics, especially at the dental arches (Arcus dentalis superior et
the central incisors. The lateral incisors showed Arcus dentalis inferior) described an arc, the
a long and sharp central lobe in absence of the upper one being wider and stretched compared
distal lobe; resembling somewhat and in a to the lower jaw arch. The inferior dental arch
small way, the canine pattern. In the occlusion showed a deeper curvature, was narrower and
of the arch the lower canine is positioned shorter compared to the superior arch.
slightly distal and opposite from the superior Canines (Dentes canini), or "fangs" as they are
lateral incisor. called, were highly developed, conical shaped,
The upper incisors exceeded rostrally to the having a distal (caudal) and concave tilting.
lowers, so that, during occlusion, the sharp Compared with the incisors, canine’s neck was
edges of their lingual surfaces are positioned less marked (Figure 8). The vestibular surface
over the vestibular surface of the lower incisors was convex and smooth. The lingual surface
was crossed by a lingual groove limited by a

Figure 7. The crown of superior lateral

incisors-3, are largest and slightly hooked Figure 8. Detailed image of a superior canine tooth. A
caudally similar with the next canine tooth. small ridge on the lingual side-arrow delineates a
A small diastema-arrow, separated the lateral reduced groove. Note the conned shape, distally
superior incisors from the canine teeth oriented and rounded apex-A, of the canine tooth

47
small ridge at the edge of its mesial surface tooth will be described as upper carnassial and
(Figure 8).The superior canines appeared the first lower molar tooth as lower carnassial
stronger than the lower ones, their roots being tooth. These teeth were the largest shearing
twice as long as the crown. On the distal edge, teeth on both dental arches. These
near the cingulum the canines’ circumference characteristics are similar to those of domestic
was visibly increased. The canines were less dogs (Barone 1997, Evans and de Lahunta
titled on the vestibular surface, their crown 2013). Except the last two molars, due to their
being less outwards inclined. In occlusion, the blade like pattern, slicing and chapping
lower canine is placed in front of the upper function, on each arc all teeth have achieved a
canine, which in turn, sits next to a small perfect secodont type of dentition. In dogs,
diastema. This diastema separates the lower deciduous dentition includes on the upper jaw,
canine from the first premolar (Figure 9). besides the incisors, two precarnassials, the
carnassial and one postcarnassial or
tuberculosis tooth. The lower jaw includes
three precarnassials and one carnassial tooth
(Barone 1997). In the deciduous dentition the
first premolar is sometimes described as a
precursor, lacking the permanent tooth
(Verstraete and Tsugawa 2015), but in
accordance with this paper, rather it should be
considered a persistent deciduous tooth (milk)
continuing in the permanent dentition. The rest
of the teeth resemble the shape and disposition
as in adults, but are smaller, sharper, having
narrower cusps. Their occlusion is as in adults.
Figure 9. A small diastema separate the inferior The permanent dentition of the golden jackals
canine tooth-4, from first premolar tooth-arrow from the present study included six cheek teeth
(premolars and molars) on each superior
According to the anatomical rule, on each arch
quadrant and seven cheek teeth on each inferior
the premolars (Dentes premolares) and molars
quadrant (Figure 10). The first three premolar
(Dente smolares) were classified in mesio-
teeth are the precarnassial teeth. The first was
distal direction (rostro-caudal) in:
smallest with a simple, pointed crown, whose
precarnassials, carnassial or sectorius (dentes
lingual surface shows a small cingulum and a
sectorius) and postcarnassial or tuberculosis
reduced distal lobe (Figure 11). The next two
teeth (Figure 10). Thus, the last upper premolar
premolar teeth, larger than the first, slightly

Figure 10. The upper precarnassials-1, carnassials-2 Figure 11. Upper-5,6,7 and lower 5', 6', 7', 8' premolar
(premolars) and postcarnassials (molars)-3 teeth. Note teeth (precarnassials). The last upper premolar-8 is the
the strong development of the carnassials and carnassial or sectorial tooth
postcarnassials teeth

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flattened and compressed laterally show three The last two upper molars (or postcarnassial
lobes: a prominent intermediate lobe, a short teeth) were well developed (Figure 14). Their
and slightly detached mesial lobe and a long crown, short and wide, very rough, was much
distal lobe (Figure 11). The last precarnassial more developed in the transverse direction than
tooth has a prominent cingulum and a well inthe mesio-distal direction. The first
delineated distal tubercle (Figure 12). postcarnassial tooth (or tuberculosis tooth) was
longitudinally shorter than the carnassial, but
more developed transversally. Its crown was
bordered by a girdle (cingulum), which was
extended up to the vestibular surface at the base
of two vestibular cusps (Figure 14). Of the two
cusps, the mesial one, named paracone, was
taller. On the lingual surface the cingulum
inflated to form a large and short rounded
lingual lobe, named protocone. Its occlusal
surface was subdivided in small tubercles
among which the heels of the lower carnassials
tooth, affront.
The last postcarnassial tooth (or last molar),
was smaller, the two vestibular cusps being
Figure 12. A small, simple crowned of the first reduced and the lingual lobe, protocone, being
upper precarnassial and a well developed intermediate
lobe-arrows, of the last precarnassials-6,7
slightly larger, but less mamelonated (Figure
14).
The superior carnassial (or the last premolar The lower precarnassials were the four lower
tooth) was the stongest tooth on the quadrant. premolars (Figure 15). The first premolar, like
(Figure 13). Three lobes were identifyed: two its superior counterpartbut smaller than it,
of them were stronger, being the tooth body, presented a cingulum too and a reduced distal
the mesial lobe, named paracone, being more tubercle. The following precarnassials were
prominent than other lobes. The mesial lobe larger. Their crowns were three-lobed,
was connected by a sharp ridge to the distal presenting like the superior premolars, a
lobe, named metacone, which was smaller than stronger distal lobe (metaconid) extended in
the mesial lobe. The third lingual lobe, named mesio-distal direction. From the second to the
protocone, was like a reduced, accessory lobe fourth premolar, the subdivision of this lobe
which was connected to the base of the main was clearer.
lobe (paracone) by a girdle or a small crest
(Figure 13).

Figure 14. The upper postcarnassials. a (paracone)

Figure 13. The upper carnassial. a-the mesial lobe and a'-the two vestibular cusps; b-lingual rounded
(paracone); b-the distal lobe (metacone); c-the lingual lobe (protocone) subdivided in two small tubercles-
lobe (protocone) connected by a small ridge to the arrows. c-cingulum
base of paracone-arrow

49
 mesio-distal than in the transverse direction. Its
occlusal surface was mamelonated, the distal
tubercles being the lowest. The third (or last
molar), was very small, having a simple,
rounded, less mamelonated crown (Figure 17).
Occlusion of the molar arch was highly
efficient on the carnassials tooth due to the
maximum development of these teeth.
Carnassials teeth were convex on the vestibular
side; their aggregate draws a kind of rostral
narrow lira, especially on the upper jaw. In the
inferior arch the carnassials where less
divergent in caudal (aboral) direction. Thus,
Figure 15. Lower precarnassials 5', 6', 7', 8'. lower carnassials slid over the lingual surface
The first premolar-5' is small. The distal lobe of the upper counterparts and over the
(metaconid) is prominent and subdivided, starting vestibular adjacent lobes of the superior
from the second premolar-arrows postacarnassials. The sharpest and higher lobe
The lower carnassial appeared stronger than the (protoconid) of the lower carnassial, sits in the
superior carnassial (Figure 16). The cingulum notch of the first postcarnassial tooth (between
was relatively small, but the crown was clearly metacone and protocone), while the heel facing
three-lobed. The intermediate lobe, sharp and strong protocone of the upper postcarnassial.
strong (protoconid) was obviously flanked at its Therefore, this complex is permanently
base by a small accessory tubercle distalo- sharpened. Because of its positioning in the
lingual oriented (Figure 16). The mesial lobe caudal part of the oral cavity this complex can
(paraconid), shorter, was nevertheless visible, apply maximum force, easily scissoring the
slightly reduced on the lingual part. The short toughest elements, (bones and tendons) without
but large caudal lobe has been subdivided into a possible separation. Other teeth have very
two secondary parts-vestibular (metaconid) and limited role. Precarnassials are not adjacent;
lingual (entoconid). they are arranged alternately, inferiors being
These parts were separated by a depression, placed rostral to the superiors. Due to the
adapted to receive the upper postcarnassial reduced volume, the last postcarnassials have
relief, called "heel". only a very superficial action, most often, the
The lower postcarnassials were the last two inferior postcarnassials are not in contact with
molars, much smaller than those from the upper their superior counterparts. These features are
arch. The first postcarnassial (or the second specie characteristic and are not related with
molar tooth), held a low crown, slightly wider the breed variations of jaws, compared to the
incisors disposition, which is strongly related to
the breed.

Figure 16. The lower carnassial tooth. The strong

intermediate (protoconid) lobe-a. The caudal lobe
was subdivided in vestibular (metaconoid)-b and Figure 17. Small distal tubercles-arrows, of the first
lingual (entoconid)-c lobes. Small accessory tubercle lower mamelonated postcarnassial tooth, and the
at protoconid base-arrow 50 smallest last lower precarnassial tooth
In dog the Triadan system is available to Similar to domestic dogs, the Golden Jackal
identify specific teeth. The number of a tooth is have specialized functional pair of sectorial
composed of three digit number each of it (carnassials) teeth that consist of the last upper
indicate: the first (in a system of hundreds) premolar and the first lower molar.
indicate the quadrant of the dental arch,1(00) The Triadan system could be used to reference
being the upper right; 2(00) being the upper left specific teeth in Golden Jackal.
3(00) being the lower left and 4(00) being the
lower right quadrant. The next two digits REFERENCES
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CONCLUSIONS Quesenberry, Katherine E. J. W. Carpenter, 2012.
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