Craniometric variation in the Eurasian badger, Meles meles
Lynch JM , Whelan R, IlFituri AI, Hayden TJ
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 242: 31-44 Part 1 MAY 1997
Abstract:
A multivariate examination of cranial variation within and between European populations
of Meles meles (L.) revealed that populations from Ireland, Great Britain, Norway,
and the Slovak Republic could be differentiated both by cranial form and by the
degree of sexual dimorphism exhibited. Irish material was characterized by low
sexual dimorphism, particularly when compared to Slovak specimens. Badgers from
the British Isles had larger skulls than other samples and were more similar to
each other than they were to badgers from mainland Europe. Size played a greater
role in differentiating samples of female badgers than it did in males. Significant
variation occurred within the British Isles, with individual samples being highly
differentiable. There was, however, little relationship between morphological
similarity and geographic proximity. We contend that macrogeographical (between-country)
variation in the species is primarily determined by historical factors and adaptation
to current conditions, while microgeographic (within-country) variation is a result
of selectively neutral processes.