Correlation of carnassial tooth size and body weight in recent carnivores (mammalia)

Abstract

Abstract The correlation between the lower carnassial crown area and the body weight is examined for modern carnivores. It is very high, but the ursids and felids show a relationship different from the other carnivore families. Some exceptions are discussed. The possibility of predicting body weight for fossils is given. Key words: Mammaliacarnivoracorrelationbody weightcarnassial tooth Notes Correspondence address: S. Legendre, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, U.S.T.L., Place Eugène‐Bataillon, F‐34060 Montpellier Cedex, France.