Intraspecific variation and directional casque asymmetry in adult southern cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius).

ABSTRACT: The cranial casques of modern cassowaries (Casuarius) have long intrigued researchers; however, in-depth studies regarding their morphological variation are scarce. Through visual inspection, it has been recognized that casque variability exists between conspecifics. Understanding casque variation has both evolutionary and ecological importance. Although hypothesized to be targeted by selection, intraspecific casque variation has not been quantified previously. Through a large sample of C. casuarius (n = 103), we compared casque shape (lateral and rostral views) between sexes and between individuals from non-overlapping geographical regions using two-dimensional (2D) geometric morphometrics. We found no statistically significant differences between the casque shape of females and males and

SUBMITTER: Green TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9482693 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature