Morphological Analysis of Static Skull Variation in the Large Japanese Field Mouse, Apodemus speciosus (Rodentia: Muridae)

摘要: Static skull morphological variation in the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) was analyzed using different indices of variability. Multivariate analysis variance revealed sexual dimorphism cranium and mandible sizes, among a total 89 skulls (45 males 44 females). The coefficient (CV), standard deviation (SD), residuals (RSD) were regressed onto mean (M) each measurement. CVs did not differ significantly between sexes exhibited an inverse relationship with M measurements. Moreover, for pre-orbital region mandibular height tended to be larger than those inter- post-orbital regions. allometric trends isometry positive allometry region, negative These findings imply general trend toward ontogenetic growth rodents, as reported previous studies. Univariate analyses demonstrated significant differences several variables, canonical discriminant analysis. In conclusion, we suggest that mainly respect size, despite exhibiting similar variability variables.