Cranial variability of the Serbian golden jackal: Geographic variation, sexual dimorphism and allometry
2016
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
,
© 2016 Elsevier GmbH.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Geometric morphometric approaches were employed for the first time to explore skull size and shape
changes in golden jackal (Canis aureus) from Serbia. We examined three different, but connected aspects of
its cranial variability: geographic variation, sexual dimorphism and allometry. To elucidate the pattern of
cranial size and shape variation, we analyzed ventral crania of subadults and adults from two geographic
regions of Serbia. For both age groups there were no significant size, but significant shape differences
between golden jackals from northeastern and central Serbia. The observed shape differences were subtle,
probably due to recent range expansion of this species in the Balkans and a strong founder effect in
the newly established populations. The detected significant sexual size and shape dimorphisms (SSD
and SShD) were slight and more evident in adult crania. Although the SShD observed in adult crania is
influenced by SSD, factors responsible for the non-allometric component of shape variation, and not pure
size differences between sexes, are those that are most important for generation of SShD in this species. A
monogamous reproductive system, male parental care, omnivorous and opportunistic feeding behavior
and the absence of division of labor between males and females in activities other than parental care,
could all be related to the driving of morphological similarity between the sexes.
Keywords:
Canid; Canis aureus; Geometric morphometrics; Shape; Size; Ventral craniumSource:
Zoologischer Anzeiger, 2016, 261, 38-47Funding / projects:
- Genetic and phenetic diversity in natural populations across different environments - contribution of B chromosome polymorphism (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173003)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2016.03.004
ISSN: 0044-5231