In many mammalian species, once the permanent teeth have erupted, the only change to dentition is a gradual loss of tooth surface/height through wear. The crown of the teeth cannot be repaired once worn. When dental crown tissue has been depleted due to wear, the animal is expected to have a suboptimal body condition. We evaluated the role of tooth wear in causing a reduction of physical condition in adult roe deer females (Capreolus capreolus). The progressive wearing of the lower cheek teeth was assessed in a Northern Apennines (Italy) population with a new scoring scheme based on objectively described tooth characteristics (morphotypes) being either present or absent. Eviscerated body mass and mandible length, which is a good proxy for body size in roe deer, were related to the tooth wear score by the use of linear regressions. The sum of wear scores for molariform teeth correlated most strongly with body condition (i.e., eviscerated body mass/mandible length), showing the importance of the entire chewing surface for acquiring energy by food comminution, chewing, and digestion. In comparison with individuals of comparable size experiencing minor tooth wear, the body mass of those with the most advanced stage of tooth wear was decreased by 33.7%. This method was compared to the height and the hypsodonty index of the first molar, the most commonly used indices of tooth wear. The sum of molariform wear scoring scheme resulted in a more suitable index to describe the variation in body condition of roe deer. Describing tooth wear patterns in hunted populations and monitoring at which tooth wear level (and therefore dental morphotype) an animal is no longer able to sustain its physical condition (i.e. when it begins to lose body mass) can be a useful tool for improving the management of the most widespread and abundant deer species in Europe. At the same time, such an approach can clarify the role of tooth wear as a proximate cause of senescence in ungulates.

中文翻译：

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牙齿和身体状况：牙齿磨损与狍体重减轻相关

在许多哺乳动物物种中，一旦恒牙萌出，牙列的唯一变化就是牙齿表面/高度因磨损而逐渐减少。牙冠一旦磨损就无法修复。当牙冠组织因磨损而消耗殆尽时，预计动物的身体状况会不佳。我们评估了牙齿磨损在降低成年雌性狍 (Capreolus capreolus) 身体状况方面的作用。使用基于客观描述的牙齿特征（形态类型）存在或不存在的新评分方案，在北亚平宁山脉（意大利）人群中评估下颊牙齿的渐进磨损。去内脏体重和下颌骨长度是狍体大小的良好代表，通过使用线性回归与牙齿磨损评分相关。臼齿的磨损分数总和与身体状况（即内脏体重/下颌骨长度）的相关性最强，表明整个咀嚼表面对于通过食物粉碎、咀嚼和消化获取能量的重要性。与同等大小的牙齿磨损较轻的个体相比，牙齿磨损最晚期的个体的体重减少了 33.7%。将此方法与第一磨牙的高度和低牙指数进行比较，这是最常用的牙齿磨损指数。磨牙磨损评分方案的总和产生了一个更合适的指标来描述狍子身体状况的变化。描述被猎杀种群的牙齿磨损模式并监测动物在何种牙齿磨损水平（以及牙齿形态类型）不再能够维持其身体状况（即，当它开始失去体重时）可以成为改善管理的有用工具欧洲分布最广、数量最多的鹿种之一。同时，这种方法可以阐明牙齿磨损作为有蹄类动物衰老的直接原因的作用。