The importance of shape analysis of the first upper molar in the separation of two subspecies of the Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758)) in Northern Anatolia

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Yavuz G., MUTLU EYİSON H., Kivanç E., SELVİ E., YİĞİT N., ÇOLAK E.

Turkish Journal of Zoology, vol.47, no.3, pp.182-190, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 47 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.55730/1300-0179.3130
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Zoology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.182-190
  • Keywords: Anatolia, Fourier analysis, geometric morphometrics, hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Morphological features are important for intraspecific and interspecific variation. Teeth are important taxonomical characteristics because they can differ according to diet. Shape analysis of the first upper molar (M1) was used to determine geographical variations and effects of ecological changes on the population structure of Hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) living in Turkey. Both outline and landmark analysis, as well as a canonical variates analysis, showed significant differences in teeth shape between populations. With this technique, we separated out two subspecies: M. a. trapezius and M. a. abanticus.