Variation in craniomandibular morphology and sexual dimorphism in pantherines and the sabercat Smilodon fatalis.

ABSTRACT: Sexual dimorphism is widespread among carnivorans, and has been an important evolutionary factor in social ecology. However, its presence in sabertoothed felids remains contentious. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of extant Panthera and the sabertoothed felid Smilodon fatalis. S. fatalis has been reported to show little or no sexual dimorphism but to have been intraspecifically variable in skull morphology. We found that large and small specimens of S. fatalis could be assigned to male and female sexes with similar degrees of confidence as Panthera based on craniomandibular shape. P. uncia is much less craniomandibularly variable and has low levels of sexual size-dimorphism. Shape variation in S. fatalis probably reflects sexual differences. Craniomandibular size-dimorphism is low

SUBMITTER: Christiansen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482211 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature