Incisor Malocclusion in Sylvilagus 153 



mately 0.15 cm in diameter. The alveolus appeared normal size and was 

 filled with soft, cartilagelike tissue. At the bottom of the alveolus, on the 

 lingual side of the jaw, a small pit opened into the mouth cavity. The 

 second molar showed excessive wear on the posterior cusp; the anterior 

 cusp measured 0.2 cm in height from the maxillary, and the posterior 

 cusp 0.1 cm. 



Although the cause of these dental deformities was not clearly evi- 

 dent, the good physical condition of the rabbit suggested recent occur- 

 rence. Gregory (1952) postulated that the malocclusion he described 

 may have been caused by an infection that resulted after a possible for- 

 cible extraction of the right lower incisor. The condition of the lower 

 left first and second molars of my specimen suggests that this area 

 caused misalignment of the jaws and the resultant hypertrophied inci- 

 sors. There was no evidence of any fractured or malformed bones, 

 except for the eroded area found at the base of the first left lower molar. 



LITERATURE CITED 



Gregory, Joseph T. 1952. Incisor malocclusion in a cottontail rabbit. J. Mam- 

 mal. 34:394. 



Lincoln, A., Jr. 1938. Malocclusion in a woodchuck skull. J. Mammal. 

 79:107. 



Thorpe, Malcolm R. 1930. A remarkable woodchuck skull. J. Mammal. 

 77:69-70. 



Zeman, W. V., and F. G. Fielder. 1969. Dental malocclusion and over- 

 growth in rabbits. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 755:1 1 15-1 1 19. 



Accepted 31 October 1981 



