CRANIAL FORM AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE IRISH OTTER LUTRA-LUTRA L
LYNCH JM , OSULLIVAN WM
BIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT-PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY 93B
(2): 97-105 JUN 1993
Abstract:
Sexual dimorphism in cranial size and shape was examined in a sample of adult
otter (Lutra lutra) crania from Ireland. Univariate and multivariate techniques
revealed a high degree of dimorphism, with shape, rather than size, accounting
for most (86.96%) of the variation between the sexes. The results are discussed
in relation to cranial musculature, dietary relationships between the sexes, and
existing theories which try to explain the occurrence of sexual dimorphism in
mustelids.