Sex- and age-related morphological and functional differences in the skull of <i>Eira barbara</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carnivora, Mustelidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Morphological differences related to age and sex have been extensively documented in Nearctic and Palearctic mustelids, largely due to the interest in the commercial management of species such as martens and fishers. However, sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic development in Neotropical species, such as the tayra (Eira barbara), remain poorly studied.

Methods

We investigated the skull development and sexual differences in E. barbara through qualitative and morphometric analyses of 376 skull specimens from museum collections. Specimens were classified into four age classes based on tooth eruption, cranial suture closure, and skull morphology. Linear measurements were used to assess biomechanical parameters related to the masticatory function, including

SUBMITTER: Perini FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12273703 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature