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Publication Date

2022-05-09

First Advisor

Virginia Hayssen

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

Morphometrics, sexual selection, resource partitioning, Canis, Lupulella, Canidae

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in morphology can reveal details of species’ reproductive behavior and ecology. Cranial dimorphism is particularly interesting given the large number of functional roles of the cranium and mandible. The first chapter of this thesis uses linear measurements of cranial shape to analyze sexual dimorphism in four canid species: Canis latrans, Canis lupaster, Canis lupus, and Lupulella mesomelas. The analysis revealed that the degree and nature of sexual dimorphism differ across the four species. Sexual selection and resource partitioning are explored as potential explanations for dimorphism, with the conclusion that these processes could be working simultaneously on different parts of the skull to influence shape dimorphism. The second chapter of this thesis compares traditional, 2D, and 3D methods of quantifying cranial shape for the purposes of investigating sexual shape dimorphism. Traditional morphometrics are sufficient to capture some aspects of sexual dimorphism in shape, while 2D and 3D geometric methods offer additional shape information at the cost of accessibility.

Rights

©2023 Emily Blackwell. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

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