Pelvic and sacral size dimorphism and allometry in two predatory carnivores with different life histories and locomotory adaptations

Authors

ALEXANDER CSANADY
PETER KRISOVSKY
LADISLAV HLOSKA

DOI

10.3906/zoo-1803-44

Abstract

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) of the wolf and the lynx was evaluated for 15 pelvic and sacral variables in 48 specimens from the Western Carpathians. Our data confirmed small male-biased SSD in the pelvic and sacral bones for both species. We suggest that this can be explained by the need for a compromise between requirements for locomotion and giving birth. We also confirmed that significant differences exist between the species in the size of the pelvic and sacral bones. We discuss our findings in light of the species? different life histories.

Keywords

Canis lupus, Lynx lynx, Slovakia, Western Carpathians, museum collections

First Page

580

Last Page

291

Recommended Citation

CSANADY, ALEXANDER; KRISOVSKY, PETER; and HLOSKA, LADISLAV (2019) "Pelvic and sacral size dimorphism and allometry in two predatory carnivores with different life histories and locomotory adaptations," Turkish Journal of Zoology: Vol. 43: No. 6, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1803-44
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol43/iss6/5