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Shape Change and Variation in the Cranial Morphology of Wild Canids ( Canis lupus, Canis latrans, Canis rufus ) Compared to Domestic Dogs ( Canis familiaris ) Using Geometric Morphometrics

Canid Cranial Morphology Using Geometric Morphometrics

Bibliographic Data

ID12371816
AuthorsE Schmitt (0000-0001-6526-2237, Department of Biology, Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology; East Tennessee State University; Johnson City TN 37614 USA), S Wallace (0000-0003-2853-3653, Department of Geosciences, Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology; East Tennessee State University; Johnson City TN 37614 USA), S C Wallace (East Tennessee State University, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume24
Issue1
Pages42-50
Publication date2012-01-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.1306
OpenAlexW1523014232
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited22

Wild canid populations exhibit different anatomical morphologies compared to domesticated dogs in North America. This is particularly important concerning archaeological sites, which may contain early domesticated species, for the proper identification of osteological remains. Previous studies have indicated domestic dogs exhibit a shorter rostrum accompanied by a crowded tooth row; however, none describe the overall complexity of these changes. Consequently, using a landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis, cranial morphological characteristics were examined in North American wild canids: the gray wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (Canis latrans), red wolf (Canis rufus), and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). The shape and size of the cranium in lateral and ventral views were compared between the three wild species to the group of domesticated dogs. Wild canids clustered separately from the domestic group in all statistical analyses. Results indicate an expansion of the orbital region, a compression of the rostrum, and an overall warping in the shape and orientation of the skull. In domestic species, there is also a downward shift in the frontal portion of the skull accompanied by the braincase assuming a more upward position. This technique successfully depicted how slight changes in isolated areas of the cranium can have an impact on the overall shape and morphology of the skull. We presume these changes in cranial anatomy reflect the recent selective pressures domestic dogs have undergone since diverging from their wild ancestors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Biology · Canis · Domestication · Morphometrics · Rostrum · Skull · Zoology · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Anatomy · Ecology

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Unique citing works6
Citations per year0,43
Citation span2012 - 2023 (12)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 6
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