Incremental cementum lines in the teeth of tropical African mammals

The correlation of series of two darkly‐staining lines in the tooth cementum of tropical African mammals from areas of bimodal equatorial rainfall is briefly reviewed, and contrasted with the findings in southern Africa where bi‐annual lines are claimed for areas of unimodal rainfall. A sample of African buffalo teeth from a unimodal rainfall area in southern Tanzania was examined and the conclusion reached that, in general, one dark line per year was formed. A miscellaneous selection of mainly known age animals was also examined with varied results. Anomalies in the apparent formation of cementum lines are discussed.