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On the sexual dimorphism in the skull of the tiger (Panthern tigris)

Über den Sexualdimorphismus des Schädels beim Tiger (Panthera tigris)

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Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in the skull of the tiger (Panthern tigris) is reviewed and described in detail. The most significant diagnostic differences between the sexes are absolute length of the cranium, breadth of interorbital region and muzzle, zygomatic arch, and occipital region, length of upper carnassial, and the degree of the development of the cranial prominences. The degree of sexual dimorphism is closely related to geographic variation, and its form is rather complex.

Zusammenfassung

Der Sexualdimorphismus des Tigerschädels wird eingehend beschrieben und diskutiert. Die hauptsächlichen diagnostischen Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern sind die absolute Länge des Schädels, die Breite der Interorbitalregion, der Schnauze, der Jochbögen und der Occipitalregion, sowie die Länge des obere Reißzahns (P4) und die Ausbildung des Scheitelkamms und des Occipi-talkamms (Crista sagittalis und Crista occipitalis). Der Grad des Sexualdimorphismus hängt eng mit der geographischen Variation zusammen, und seine Ausprägung ist ziemlich komplex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (formerly Shanghai Natural History Museum), 260 Yanan Road (East), Shanghai, 200002, P.R. China

    J. H. Mazák

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  1. J. H. Mazák
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Correspondence to J. H. Mazák.

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Mazák, J.H. On the sexual dimorphism in the skull of the tiger (Panthern tigris). Mamm Biol 69, 392–400 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1078/1616-5047-00161

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1078/1616-5047-00161

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