The Skull Shape Analysis of Wistar Albino Rats: A Geometric Morphometric Study

Authors : İftar Gürbüz, Yasin Demiraslan

Pages : 132-141

Doi:10.30607/kvj.1408417

View : 80 | Download : 79

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of the study was to evaluate the skull shape of Wistar albino rats using the geometric morphometry method. For this purpose, a total of 52 adult rat skulls, 31 female and 21 male, were evaluated. Skulls were photographed from equal distances in dorsal and ventral directions. 13 and 18 landmarks were marked in dorsal and ventral images, respectively. Percentage variation values of principal components were calculated by performing principal components analysis in the MorphoJ program. Average shape graphs showing the positive and negative boundaries of the first three principal components were obtained. It was defined that scatter plot showing the degree of grouping of male and female rats according to the first and second principal components. The study also examined the allometric effect with regression. Discriminant function analysis was performed to examine gender dimorphism. As a result of the study, it was determined that the most significant shape change was in the zygomatic arc and palate regions according to individuals, while it was also in the neurocranium according to gender. We believe that the study will contribute to anatomy, biology and archeology studies on the shape of the skull.
Keywords : Cinsiyet, Geometrik morfometri, Kafatası, Rat, Şekil