Morphology and Morphometry of Skulls of Raccoon Dogs, <i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i> and Badgers, <i>Meles meles</i>

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In order to obtain the basic data to identify the skeletal remains from the archaeological sites, morphological and morphometrical studies were carried out on skulls of living raccoon dogs (35 males and 45 females) and badgers (16 males and 8 females) from Kagoshima Prefecture. Macroscopically, the sexual differences were observed in badgers for the parts of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the occipital squama, but were not in raccoon dogs. Among 24 cranial measurements, significant sexual differences were found in five measurement items in raccoon dogs, while 12 items in badgers. Mandibles showed significant sexual differences in both species. Raccoon dogs had significantly larger values than badgers in most of the items concerning length of cranium and most mandibular measurements. The discrimination efficiencies of discriminant formulae between both sexes were lower in raccoon dogs, but higher in badgers, and the efficiencies between both species were obtained 100%. In the regression formulae for estimating skull length, some formulae showed high coefficients of determination in both species. These observations represented interspecific and sexual differences in the skulls of raccoon dogs and badgers. -KEY WORDS: badger, interspecific difference, raccoon dog, sexual dimorphism, skull measurement.

ON THE SKULL MORPHOLOGY OF RACCOON DOG (NYCTEREUTES PROCYONOIDES) AND RED FOX (VULPES VULPES)

“…Our comparative analysis revealed a well-pronounced external sagittal crest in raccoon dog. This anatomical peculiarity in raccoon dog was also reported by Hidaka et al (1998). Our data also confirm a double condylar canal in red fox, reported by Sjøvold (1977).…”

“…We also found that both species investigated possess an oval-shaped foramen magnum. The same shape for raccoon dogs was reported by Hidaka et al (1998), whereas for dogs, cats, badgers and martens by Karan et al (2006). Well-articulated zygomatic processes of the frontal bones are typical of dogs, badges and martens, whereas in cats they extend to the frontal processes of the zygomatic bones (Karan et al 2006).…”

“…Craniological studies on different raccoon dog subspecies were carried out in Finland (Kauhala et al 1998). Japanese scientists compared the skulls of badgers (Meles meles) and raccoon dogs belonging to different families (Hidaka et al 1998). Comparative craniological analysis was done for several predator species: dog, cat, badger, marten (Martes foina) and otter (Lutra lutra) (Karan et al 2006).…”

Rostro-dorsal and rostro-lateral skull morphologic variability in three age-groups of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) (Linnaeus, 1758): implications of certain orbital parameters — angular geometric approach

“…A relatively wider MZW in juveniles compared with PL was responsible for a high SI in the group; this value however did not increase proportionately with increasing age in adult group hence the fall in index value in adults suggesting a maximum horizontal growth but minimal perpendicular (vertical) growth as was confirmed in a similar canine study [27]. The angular measurements correlations to each other demonstrate the directions of growth shape in H. ichneumon skulls and establishes the fact that nose extends beyond the premaxilla [19].…”

“…It has been reported that changes in architecture of the dorsal crania may have developmental consequences on cranio-facial modelling [16,19,28]. Allometric derivations of growth changes expressed by correlations between facial bones angle dimensions and SI represent the ontogenetic pattern in this species.…”