Morphometric variation in wolves and golden jackal in India (Mammalia, Carnivora).

ABSTRACT: Species of Canis (Carnivora, Canidae) have similar morphology and distinguishing sympatric species is challenging. We present data on morphometry of skull, body and hair of three wild Canis species that occur in India, which include two wolves (Indian wolf, Canislupuspallipes; and Himalayan wolf, Canishimalayensis) and the golden jackal (Canisaureus). A total of 20 cranial and six body measurements and microscopic characteristics of guard hair were analysed, using multivariate ordination to differentiate between species. Cranial measures of the Himalayan wolves were found to be the largest followed by Indian wolves and golden jackals. However, many measures overlapped amongst the three species. Two Principal Components each, for body measures and cranial

SUBMITTER: Srinivas Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8417022 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature