Differential sexual dimorphism: size and shape in the cranium and pelvis of grey foxes (Urocyon)

摘要: Patterns of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and cranial are well documented. However, limited examinations exist the contrasts in patterns nature across body regions (e.g. cranium, pelvis), particularly when these have different sex-specific functions display mating, locomotion, reproduction). Using landmark-based morphometric techniques, we investigated shape variation crania pelves two closely-related fox species within genus Urocyon. Although found no significant either species, did find pelvis: its was dimorphic Urocyon littoralis (but not cinereoargenteus) both (though more pronounced U. littoralis). The observation greater pelvis than cranium suggests that factors such as offspring locomotor mode play a role simple ‘whole body’ allometric affects associated with size. © 2009 Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2009, 96, 339‐353. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: allometry ‐ Canidae Carnivora function geometric morphometrics index.