Geomorphometric differences in shape and size of the cranium and mandible among three cytotypes of Nannospalax nehringi (Satunin, 1898) (Rodentia: Spalacidae) from East Anatolia

Abstract

This study investigated three cytotypes of Nannospalax nehringi collected from the East Anatolian Region. The cranium and mandible of 42 specimens from 15 localities were analyzed by a landmark-based geometric morphometric method. The results of the Procrustes ANOVA showed that all cytotypes were different aspect of cranial size (F = 4.34, P = 0.0201), shape (F = 5.29, P < 0.0001), and mandible shape (F = 3.94, P < 0.0001). The sex of cytotypes had differences only for cranium shape (F = 1.58, P = 0.0039) but had no size differences for cranium and mandible. CV and DF analysis revealed that all cytotypes separated significantly, both cranially and mandibularly. Cytotypes 48/68 and 48/72 were more discrete in terms of mandibular shape but were closer cranially. The reason behindwhy the mandible is more distinctive may be related to the fact that the cranium and mandible partly evolved separately and/or were affected at different levels by ecological factors in the Spalacidae.