Distinct features of intraspecific and intrapopulation variability of the skull size in the red fox

Dokl Biol Sci. 2017 May;474(1):98-101. doi: 10.1134/S0012496617030036. Epub 2017 Jul 13.

Abstract

The range of chronographic variability of the average size of the skull in the red fox (data collected by the authors) from a compact area in the Middle Urals has been assessed for a 30-year period, and the results obtained have been compared with the published data on the geographical variability within the vast species range. The range of changes of the average dimensions of the skull over time spanned almost the entire range of geographical variability. Therefore, the problem of search for factors that determine the morphological diversity arises.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Foxes / anatomy & histology*
  • Skull / anatomy & histology*