Ontogeny of sexual dimorphism in Chinchilla lanigera (Rodentia: Chinchillidae)

A. R. Lammers, H. A. Dziech, R. Z. German

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Growth patterns that lead to sexual dimorphism in adults are not well quantified. We measured 49 skeletal dimensions in male and female Chinchilla lanigera from radiographs of growing individuals taken during 320 days. Measurements for each individual were fit with a nonlinear Gompertz equation to quantify growth patterns. Differences in Gompertz parameters between sexes were compared with a t-test. Most significant differences between sexes in growth and final size were in the pelvic girdle (which formed the birth canal) and viscerocranium. Sexual dimorphism in the viscerocranium may support the hypothesis that differences in use of ecological niche often causes sexual dimorphism where females are larger than males.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-189
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Mammalogy
Volume82
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chinchilla lanigera
  • Heterochrony
  • Limbs
  • Sexual dimorphism
  • Skeletal growth
  • Skull

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ontogeny of sexual dimorphism in Chinchilla lanigera (Rodentia: Chinchillidae)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this