Cranial morphology of captive mammals: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Captive facilities such as zoos are uniquely instrumental in conservation efforts. To fulfill their potential as bastions for conservation, zoos must preserve captive populations as appropriate proxies for their wild conspecifics; doing so will help to promote successful reintroduction efforts. Morphological changes within captive populations may be detrimental to the fitness of individual animals because these changes can influence functionality; thus, it is imperative to understand the breadth and depth of morphological changes occurring in captive populations. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of scientific literature reporting comparisons of cranial measures between captive and wild populations of mammals. We investigate the pervasiveness of cranial differences and wh

SUBMITTER: Siciliano-Martina L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7825229 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature