Cranial variability and differentiation among golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe, Asia Minor and Africa.

ABSTRACT: Golden jackal (Canis aureus) expansion in the last decades has triggered research interest in Europe. However, jackal phylogeny and taxonomy are still controversial. Morphometric studies in Europe found differences between Dalmatian and the other European jackals. Recent genetic studies revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. Moreover, large Canis aureus lupaster may be a cryptic subspecies of the African golden jackal. Although genetic studies suggest changes in Canis aureus taxonomy, morphological and morphometric studies are still needed. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis on a wide scale of golden jackal skull morphometry. Extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls from Europe (including a very large Bulgar

SUBMITTER: Stoyanov S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7076067 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature