Skull Measurements Research Articles

A re-discovery ofCoelops frithii(Chiroptera, Hipposideridae) from its type locality after one and a half century

AbstractHere, we report the rediscovery ofCoelops frithiiin the pristine mangrove forest of Sundarbans Forest Reserve in Khulna division of Bangladesh. A dead individual of adult female was collected and identified to species based on morphological features and skull measurements (FA: 41.28 mm, GTL: 17.52 mm, CCL: 15.58 mm). This finding represents the first record from the type locality one and a half century after Blyth (1848) first described the species.C. frithiiis considered near threaten in the IUCN Red List. The confirmed occurrence through this record calls for future systematic surveys of this species within the Sundarbans.

Quantification of physiological aging criteria utilizing window strike data

Recent studies have been interested in the effects of age on window strike vulnerability in avian species. To accurately assess age-dependent patterns in avian populations, proper aging criteria should be used to allow for comparisons across studies. Recent window strike studies rely heavily on skull ossification, and we were interested in the accuracy of this method compared to other physiological-based age determinations in passerines and non-passerine landbirds. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed three potential aging criteria that can be used for aging specimens: presence/absence of the bursa of Fabricius, skull ossification, and gonadal maturity. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative comparison of these criteria. While one study did qualitatively compare the number of agreements versus disagreements between these methods, our study expands on this research by implementing a statistical approach. Skull, bursa, and gonad measurements all were significantly and positively correlated with each other. Nevertheless, we did find disagreement between the methods when further exploring their relationships using Generalized Linear Models. For example, when we compared the number of adult females with immature females to test for window strike vulnerability using a Chi-square test, all three aging criteria produced similar results. Adult females showed a statistically higher rate of window strikes than immature females. However, we still suggest caution using only one criterion to age specimens. In summary, while we did find these three aging characters to be highly correlated, disagreement does exist between these characters.

Standardization of Cephalograms Obtained From Various Imaging Systems

Objective To propose and validate a method for standardizing and printing cephalograms acquired from different imaging systems. Methods Validation of the proposed method was done using digital cephalograms, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-derived cephalograms, and direct measurements obtained from 3 dry human skulls. Each cephalogram was analyzed as-received and after standardization, using both manual and digital methods. 3-dimensional (3D) measurements were also computed from the CBCT images. After adequate blinding, 2 observers independently carried out all these measurements at 2 different times. Finally, the different cephalometric measurements of each skull were compared with the corresponding direct measurements (gold standard). Results The as-received digital cephalogram showed an inherent magnification of 33%, as determined from the calibration ruler. Compared to direct skull measurements, the as-received conventional and CBCT-derived cephalograms printed without standardization showed a reduction in measures of around 14% and 28%, respectively, whereas measurements obtained from cephalograms, which were standardized and printed by the proposed method, were comparable to direct measurements. Conclusions The findings of the validation study demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method in standardizing different cephalograms before printing.

Estimation of sex from computed tomography images of skull measurements in an adult Turkish population

Nowadays, data on the anthropometric measurements of populations is needed in many areas, especially forensic and legal. Using various methods, researchers obtain various data such as race, sex, and age, and thus provide identification of the material used. Morphological or metric methods are often used for identification. To evaluate the usefulness of the results of skull measurements using computed tomography (CT) to determine sex in a Turkish population. We analyzed 300 male and 300 female CT images of Turkish individuals with an age range of 21-50 years. Maximum cranial length, maximum cranial breadth, bimastoid diameter, bizygomatic diameter, and bigonial breadth were measured by CT tomography. All data were subjected to discriminant function analyses for estimating sex. Intra-observer and inter-observer variances of the measurements were examined using intraclass correlation coefficient analysis. Discriminant function analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between male and female with 88% accuracy. Discriminant function for estimation of sex was obtained with satisfactory accuracy rates for the parameters used. This study confirms that skull measurements show sexual dimorphism in the Turkish population, and also suggests that it may be useful to use CT to assess skull anthropometric measurements.

Understanding the convoluted evolutionary history of the capped-golden langur lineage (Cercopithecidae: Colobinae)†

The phylogenetic position of the capped and golden langur (CG) lineage has been ambiguous owing to the discordance between phylogenies from multiple molecular markers. Previous molecular studies have hypothesised that this discordance likely arises from either a hybridization event that took place between the Indian genus Semnopithecus and the Southeast Asian genus Trachypithecus or from incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Distinguishing between hybridization and ILS is challenging and these processes can lead to serious difficulties in inferring phylogenies. In this study, we used genetic markers (nine nuclear and eight mitochondrial) in conjunction with coalescent based species tree approach and a test for hybridization using posterior predictive checking to better understand the evolutionary origin of the CG lineage. Both the concatenated nuclear as well as the mitochondrial dataset recovered congruent relationships where CG lineage was sister to Trachypithecus. However, nuclear species tree estimated using different multispecies coalescent methods suggested an opposite result, i.e. CG lineage was sister to Semnopithecus. Hybridization analysis strongly indicates gene flow between Semnopithecus and Trachypithecus that likely gave rise to the hybrid CG lineage. Further, the CG lineage is morphologically intermediate between Semnopithecus and Trachypithecus with respect to skull and body measurements. In light of the above evidences, we argue that the CG lineage needs to be elevated to a new genus of its own. Taxonomic and conservation implications of these results are also discussed.

Common Patterns of Skull Bone Fusion and Their Potential to Discriminate Different Ontogenetic Stages in Extant Birds

The degree of sutural closure between bones generally allows for the classification of skeleton maturity in tetrapods. In mammals, the sutural closure of skull bones was previously used as proxy to evaluate the ontogenetic stage of single individuals. However, due to temporal variation, this process can be only applied among mammalian subclades, but not for all mammals in general. In contrast, the process of sutural closures in bird skulls could be a more reliable ontogenetic proxy for this clade as adult birds commonly show a generally high degree of bone fusion. To test this, we studied the process of sutural closure in ontogenetic series of 18 extant bird species regarding the presence of an ontogenetic signal and compared the results with changes in skull size and proportions. Univariate analyses indicate that bone fusion happens faster in altricial than in precocial birds. However, the use of PCoA and multivariate regressions reveal that the skull bone fusion follows a common pattern among birds and thus can be used as proxy to identify different ontogenetic stages. In general, the process of sutural closure spreads from posterior to anterior and from ventral to dorsal. In contrast, skull measurements reflect rather interspecific allometry than ontogeny. The used of bone fusion as proxy will help to better identify and compare different stages of maturation in birds, including historical material from osteological collections.

Osteological materials from the mausoleums of the Babishmolа oasis

  The article analyzes the osteological materials found in the mausoleums of the Babishmolinsky oa- sis. During archaeological excavations in two mausoleums, 151 specimens of mammalian remains and one bird bone were found. When studying the collection, the following were described:: the composi- tion of the elements of the skeleton of each species, the fragmentation of each element, the state of the epiphysis (accretion-not accretion), the state of the dental system. Biometric measurements of the Korsak skull (Vulpes corsac) were performed. As a result of the archaeozoological analysis of the bone remains, 8 animal species, one bird and elements of human bones were identified. According to the number of bones in the first place, there are the bones of horses, the bones of small cattle (sheep-goats) in the second place. All kinds of domestic animals are found in the Akshunkyr mausoleum, although the total bone material is small. Two types of domestic animals, as well as the bones of carnivorous animals and birds, were found from the Egistik mausoleum. According to the authors of the article, the remains of animals found in the mausoleums of Akshunkyr and Egistik are associated with the rites of ancient times. The question of finding the bones of predatory animals and birds, along with domestic animals, remains open. A comparative analysis of animal bones in similar burials and their specific features is carried out. Key words: Chirikrabat culture, Zhanadaria, Babishmolа oasis, mausoleum, burial rite, animal bones, archeozoology, mammals, osteometry.

The Evolution of the Role of Imaging in the Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis: A Narrative Review

Craniosynostosis, the premature closure of cranial sutures, is one of the principal causes of pediatric skull deformities. It can cause aesthetic, neurological, acoustic, ophthalmological complications up to real emergencies. Craniosynostosis are primarily diagnosed with accurate physical examination, skull measurement and observation of the deformity, but the radiological support currently plays an increasingly important role in confirming a more precise diagnosis and better planning for therapeutic interventions. The clinician must know how to diagnose in the earliest and least invasive way for the child. In the past, technological limitations reduced the choices; today, however, there are plenty of choices and it is necessary to use the various types of available imaging correctly. In the future, imaging techniques will probably rewrite the common classifications we use today. We provide an updated review of the role of imaging in this condition, through the ages, to outline the correct choice for the clinician for an early and non-invasive diagnosis.

A SINGLE GRAIN OF INDIGO: A READING ON MONGOLS AND TURKS IN THE U.S. LOCAL PRESS (1850-1923)

In the 19th century, when belief in racial discrimination and superiority could find a response at social and even moral levels, claims about humanity as a biological species turned into a number of pseudoscientific assumptions. This inevitably constituted a legitimate ground for Orientalist stereotypes such as barbarism, despotism, ignorance, fanaticism and backwardness directed towards Eastern societies. Orientalism, which has been a baseline for the pride and superiority discourse inherent to the Western society since the second half of 18th century has been a method for their struggle to examine, learn and reign the East and the Easterners through a number of biased theories and practices which are considered as facts without any doubt. It is possible to approach the American society as a large-scale and heterogeneous sample that represents the West in the analysis of race-based reductionist discourse, which is steered to Eastern civilizations and endeavored to gain legitimacy through Orientalism.
 
 This study aims to reveal the locally-penetrated reflections of a number of racist stereotypes claiming to be scientific and which take their place in the American press since the second half of 19th century in regards to Turkish and Mongolian identities that are frequently positioned opposite to Western societies in the context of being an ‘other’. These two ethnical groups which embrace historically archaic bonds in between has been demonstrated in the local American press as unique sometimes, and neighboring at times; but at the same time, as the carriers of a low-profile culture that can easily be differentiated from Western civilization at every attempt due to its racial specifications.
 
 The image of Central Asia and its peoples in the American local press throughout the 19th and 20th centuries was represented by travel notes, columns, political news, short stories, and funnies. These texts and illustrations, which are mostly of pseudoscientific concerns, were sometimes published simultaneously in different states with a number of old articles and columns were reprinted in accordance with the conjuncture of the day. Among these, there are texts that tried to establish kinship ties between Germans and Mongols based on so-called scientific data obtained from skull measurements during the Great War, thus accusing Germans of being aggressive by nature. The anti-German propaganda that took place in the American local press also reveals that the word Mongolian turned into one of the main reference points of the racist paradigm during this period. Indeed, terms such as Mongol, Mongolian, and Mongoloid have expanded in meaning to characterize all peoples classified as yellow race by Westerners such as the Chinese and Japanese.
 
 The image of Turks in the American local press offers a common area that can be analyzed in the same context. The texts in question reveal the mentality in which the racist belief that constitutes the basis for hate speech is preserved, but a much harsher and uncompromising style is adopted. This can be explained by the fact that, while the American local press spread orientalist content during the 19th century, and at the same time hosted the anti-Turkish campaigns of the Armenian diaspora throughout the country.

Effects of Sex and Breeding Status on Skull Morphology in Cooperatively Breeding Ansell’s Mole-Rats and an Appraisal of Sexual Dimorphism in the Bathyergidae

African mole-rats of the genus Fukomys (Northern common mole-rats) combine a monogamous mating system and pronounced sexual size dimorphism; a pattern highly untypical for mammals. At the same time, they live in cooperatively breeding groups composed of reproductive and non-reproductive members of both sexes. How and to which degree sex and breeding status influence morphofunctional characters in eusocial mole-rats is not well characterized but essential to come to a comprehensive understanding of their peculiar social system. Here, we explore patterns of morphological differentiation in skulls of Ansell’s mole-rats (Fukomys anselli) by means of multivariate analysis of linear skull measurements combined with a 2D shape analysis of cranium and mandible. Compared to females, males display larger skulls relative to body size and show an expansion of the facial portion of the cranium, while reproductive status did not have an effect on any of the traits studied. We also show that species of Fukomys mole-rats display a scaling of relative sexual body size dimorphism in compliance to Rensch’s rule, which is deemed indicative of intense male intrasexual competition. For the bathyergid family as a whole, results of scaling analyses were more ambiguous, but also indicative of Rensch’s rule conformity. In line with genetic field data, our results point to a greater role of male-male conflicts in Fukomys than is traditionally assumed and support the notion that reproductive status does not correlate with morphofunctional segregation in these unusual rodents.

The canine counts! Significance of a craniodental measure to describe sexual dimorphism in canids: Golden jackals (Canis aureus) and African wolves (Canis lupaster)

Sexual dimorphism is a widespread phenomenon among mammals, including carnivorans. While sexual dimorphism in golden jackals (Canis aureus) has been analysed in the past, in the related and apparently convergent canid, the African wolf (Canis lupaster), it is poorly studied and showed to be relatively small. Previously, sexual size dimorphism (SSD) research in these species was mostly based on skull and body measurements. In our study, we also included dental measurements, namely the diameter of the canine. We used 11 measured sections of 104 adult specimens, comprising 61 golden jackal and 43 African wolf skulls. Data analyses were carried out through logistic regression and conditional inference trees (CIT). To compare the results of SSD to other species, sexual dimorphism indices (SDI) were calculated. Golden jackals and African wolves show significant sexual size dimorphism, both in cranial and dental size. The logistic regression revealed that the mesiodistal diameter of the upper canine is most effective in discerning the sexes. The difference in the calculated SDI of the canine diameter between the sexes amounted to 8.71 in golden jackals and 14.11 in African wolves, respectively—with regional diversity. Thus, the canine diameter is an important measure to investigate SSD as well as an easy tool to apply in the field.

Using osteological measurements to estimate body length in Amazonian manatees

ABSTRACT Body length is an important parameter in morphological, ecological and behavioral studies of a species and contributes to the understanding of the body condition of individuals. This parameter is essential for conservation and management strategies by informing studies evaluating growth rates, physical maturity and classification of individuals into age groups, promoting better accuracy for the biological parameters of the species. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of body length for Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) using metric characters of osteological materials. Eleven linear measurements of skull, jaw, scapulae and humeri were collected from 41 Amazonian manatee skeletons of different age classes (calf, juvenile and adult). Data were analyzed by simple linear regression. The condylobasal length was the best predictor of body length for the species (R = 0.943), however, all bones evaluated showed at least one measurement with the capacity to predict body size (R2 > 0.9). Results of this study are useful for inferring body length of Amazonian manatees using bones deposited in museums and biological collections, expanding the informative potential of these materials.

Biometric Analysis of Cranial and Somatic Features in the Pannonian Root Vole.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this paper is to biometrically analyse the cranial and somatic features of the Pannonian root vole in Slovakia and link body weight to selected cranial features. Somatic features indicate that specimens caught in Slovakia belong to the largest sub-species oeconomus. Overall, our results showed sexual dimorphism of all the somatic features observed in adult specimens, while the effect of seasonality was only seen in the average length of the body and tail. Thus, mean body and foot length appear stable in determining features despite the seasons. This study evaluated 25 skull and lower jaw measurements, representing the largest number of evaluated characteristics among Slovakia’s Pannonian root vole population. Linear regression of the weight and any of the three craniological features AMd, AMdm, and LCr is recommended in order to predict weight directly from them. This analysis is useful as a non-invasive method for analysing skeletal food remains that have been found in raptors and owls. Using the correlation between weight and body length makes it possible to analyse the Pannonian root vole population structure in greater detail, such as to classify specimens into age cohorts.The Pannonian root vole Alexandromys oeconomus ssp. mehelyi represents a rare glacial relict, whose occurrence is nowadays bound to several areas in Europe. Four somatic and 25 craniological features were analysed, based on 355 measured specimens. Sex is a significant factor affecting the average value of all four somatic features, where all of them achieve higher values in males than in females. While body length and tail length were also affected by seasons, body weight and the length of the hind foot were stable features present across the seasons. In cranial features, the largest variability in the adult population is characterised by neurocranium breadth (LaN), total length of the cranial base (LB), and skull (LCr); whereas the smallest variability of the cranial dimensions is reflected in the values of the greatest palatal breadth (PS) and postorbital breadth (Io). Calculating the weight from cranial remains may be used to estimate the size of the prey and to determine vole biomass consumed by predators, such as raptors, highlighting the utility of studying feeding ecology.

Age prediction model for adult male Galapagos sea lions based on skull measures

Age prediction model for adult male Galapagos sea lions based on skull measures

Kafatası Kalınlığı Ölçümlerinin Tarihsel Gelişimi ve Bu Ölçümlerin Adli Tıpta Kullanılabilirliği: Geleneksel Bir Literatür Taraması

For approximately 2 centuries, the estimation of ancestry, sex, and age from skull measurements has been one of the issues of anthropology. Since the first studies of skull thickness in 1879, measurements were first made with calipers, and then with technological developments over time are also now made with X-rays, computed tomography examinations, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Skull thickness was used for several clinical purposes in medicine, such as determining the most suitable area for bone grafts, deciding on the appropriate area in the temporal bone for hearing aid application, monitoring changes in bone thickness in various diseases and treatments, etc. It has also been used for forensic identification, and to explain the mechanism of skull fractures in forensic medicine, although it was described in a limited number of articles. The aim of this study is to make a detailed literature review of the historical development of skull thickness measurement techniques, including the use of skull thickness measurements in forensic identification and skull fracture mechanism. It can be foreseen that skull thickness will be an indispensable part of forensic identification, especially in skeletons, together with the mapping method, an example of which has been carried out. Likewise, there is no doubt that measuring the thickness of the regions where the fracture lines pass in the skulls and the bone density of these regions by scintigraphy and combining them with the 3D Finite Element Model will lead to new ideas about the mechanism of fracture formation.

Magnetic resonance imaging of skull and brain parameters in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.

ObjectiveTo compare fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and those with normal growth, in terms of skull and brain measurements obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study including 26 single fetuses (13 with IUGR and 13 with normal growth), evaluated from 26 to 38 weeks of gestation. Using MRI, we measured skull and brain biparietal diameters (BPDs); skull and brain occipitofrontal diameters (OFDs); corpus callosum length and area; transverse cerebellar diameter; extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid (eCSF); and right and left interopercular distances (IODs).ResultsThe following were significantly smaller in IUGR fetuses than in control fetuses: skull BPD (76.9 vs. 78.2 mm; p = 0.0029); brain BPD (67.8 vs. 71.6 mm; p = 0.0064); skull OFD (93.6 vs. 95 mm; p = 0.0010); eCSF (5.5 vs. 8.2 mm; p = 0.0003); right IOD (9.8 vs. 13.9 mm; p = 0.0023); and left IOD (11.8 vs. 16.3 mm; p = 0.0183). The skull BPD/eCSF, brain BPD/eCSF, skull OFD/eCSF, and brain OFD/eCSF ratios were also lower in IUGR fetuses.ConclusionIUGR fetuses had smaller OFD and BPD, both skull and brain, and less eCSF when compared to normal growth fetuses.

First Record of the Long-Eared Bat (Plecotus; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) on Urup Island Highlights the Obscure Taxonomic Problem

Fauna of the Kuril Islands is understood insufficiently; in particular, the distribution and taxonomic relationships of bats in this territory are definitely understudied. Long-eared bats (Plecotus spp.) were first captured on the island of Urup during an expedition organized by the Russian Geographical Society in 2019. This capture became the first record of an indigenous land mammal on this island. Based on the peculiarities of geography, we assumed that the Japanese species P. sacrimontis would live on the Urup and Iturup Islands, as well as on the neighbouring Kunashir. However, a morphometric analysis of skull measurements and an analysis of the mitochondrial cytb gene show that long-eared bats from these two islands belong to the mainland species P. ognevi. This unexpected result raises questions regarding the postglacial history of the invasion of the long-eared bats to the islands, which probably occurred in two stages, and the taxonomic relationship between P. sacrimontis and P. ognevi.

An anatomical study of the dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae and middle nasal conchae in normal Shetland ponies: Computed tomographic anatomical and morphometric findings.

Equine paranasal sinuses are susceptible to inflammation. Insufficient drainage through the nasal passages and meatus may lead to the accumulation of inspissated purulent discharge. Particularly in ponies, these anatomical structures are suspected to be relatively small. To date, there are no reports consideringthe morphology of nasal conchal bullaein small horse breeds such as Shetland ponies. The aim of the present study was to evaluatethe size of the conchal bullae and the medial nasal conchae of Shetland ponies and their relation to the skull dimension using computed tomography. Reconstructed images of healthy adult heads of Shetland ponies were used. Linear skull measurements as well as two cranial indices of the head dimensions were taken. Length, width and height of the dorsal and ventral conchal bullae and the medial nasal conchae were measured in relation to the skull and compared with the data of skulls of large breed horses. The anatomical proportions of pony heads were characterized by a smaller cranial index and a greater nasal index than those of large breed horses. Shetland ponies showed a longer cranial length compared with the nasal length. Heads are consistently smaller, and the relationship of the bullae to the head length was also smaller than those measured in large breed horses. A negative correlation between the head and bullae size was found. In conclusion, this study suggests that Shetland ponies have distinguishing proportions of the head. These findings are relevant for clinical examinationand surgical treatment of equine sinus diseasein those breeds.

Observations on the growth of temporalis muscle: A 3D CT imaging study.

This study investigates the hypothesis that there is, during childhood, a disproportionate age-related expansion of the origin of temporalis muscle compared to the growth of the underlying skull. Lateral projections of 50 randomly selected 3D reformatted computerized tomographic (CT) scans (yielding 100 temporalis muscles) of children aged >0.6 to 15years scanned for conditions that did not affect the shape of their head or face were windowed to provide the optimum delineation of temporalis muscle against the underlying bone. Vertical and anterior-posterior measurements of the muscle made independently by two observers were compared with those of the skull along the same planes. The development of the anterior temporal crest was also assessed. The intraclass correlation coefficient for differences in the measurements made by each observer ranged from good to excellent. The muscle and skull measurements were used to produce a ratio of muscle-to-skull lengths in both vertical and horizontal planes. Analysis of these ratios showed a statistically significant increase in the vertical reach of temporalis with age (Pearson correlation coefficient (R)=0.7826; p<0.05) compared to the growth of the skull along the planes chosen for the study-but less so for its horizontal reach (R=0.5073. p<.001). There were no significant differences between right/left or male/female measurements. There was also a substantial level of agreement between both observers in their assessment of the development of the temporal crest. The mean age of children in whom a fully formed temporal crest could be identified (10.6years) was significantly greater (p<0.001) than that of the 38 remaining subjects (6.0years). These results confirm that there is, in response to increased masticatory/dietary demands during childhood, a disproportionate increase in the vertical and (to a lesser extent) horizontal reach of temporalis muscle over its origin from the temporal, frontal, sphenoid, and parietal bones compared the growth of the skull. It is proposed that surgical interference with this normal process is responsible for the soft tissue component of late-developing deformity that can occur following early (at 6-18months of age) operations for the correction of trigonocephalic head shape associated with metopic synostosis.

Man’s measures. Piotr Mitzner and fundamental anthropological questions

The articles concerns various possibilities of interpreting Piotr Mitzner’s poem Jest miarąfrom the volume of poems I po kropce (2013). Three important interpretative contexts for Mitzner’s poem can be identifi ed: 1) different ways of understanding Protagoras’ maxim anthroposmetron consi-dered to be the „magnacharta of Western relativism” (G. Reale); 2) the theoretical and practical implications of the development of craniometry, with its connections to the physical and cultural anthropology of the 19th and 20th centuries (along with references to the ideological use of human skull measurements i.e. during the 2nd World War), the refl ection on human cognitive limitations. The formal aspects of Mitzner’s poem that are crucial for its analysis include repetitions, rhythm and graphic and sound arrangement as well as the construction of the implied subject.