engleski

Craniometric analysis of Eurasian badger (Meles meles I.) from eastern Croatia

Aim of the research was to determine craniometric characteristics of the badger (Meles meles L.) from eastern Croatia, and to determine differences between sexes. Most of the specimens had been either hunted or gathered as road kills, and were collected during 2009 and 2010. A total of 19 skulls of animals older then 2 years have been studied, out of which 13 (68, 4 %) belonged to females and 6 (31, 6 %) were males. Standard cranial measurements were taken for 42 parameters on each skull ; 31 parameters specifically on skull, and 11 on mandible. All measurements were carried out using digital calliper to an accuracy of 0, 01 mm. Statistically significant difference for distinguish sexual dimorphism was confirmed for the following parameters: basicranial axis, facial length, viscerocranium length, greatest mastoid breadth and height of the foramen magnum (p<0, 05), and greatest breadth of the bases of the paraoccipital processes and zygomatic breadth (p<0, 01). Higher average skull length (14, 4 cm) and breadth (8, 26 cm) were determined for males, in comparison to a female skull (average length 13, 64 cm, breadth 7, 62 cm). Coefficient calculated as a ratio between skull length and width was 1, 71 in males and 1, 79 in females. As the border value which could help in sex determination, coefficient 1, 75 is defined (lower value for males, higher for females).

craniometric characteristics ; badger ; Meles meles L.

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