Studies of Macropodidae in Queensland. 2. Age estimation in the grey kangaroo, the red kangaroo, the Eastern wallaroo and the red-knecked wallaby, with notes on dental abnormalities

Abstract

Methods of estimating ages of pouch young of the grey kangaroo (Macropus major Shaw), the eastern wallaroo ( Osphranter robustus Gould) and the red-necked wallaby (Wallabia rufogrisea Desmarest) from lengths of tail and hind feet are described. Regressions relating age to an index of molar progression for older specimens of these species and the red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa Desmarest) are also provided. Several abnormal dental conditions involving supernumerary and unerupted teeth are described and a measure of the frequency of occurrence of each abnormality in the four species is given.