Skull variability in the common mole rat Spalax microphthalmus (Spalacidae, Rodentia). 1. A method for analysis of data, nonage variability in males [Russian]

摘要

The variation of 44 skull parameters (measurements) in 41 adult specimens of the common mole rat Spalax microphthalmus Guld. captured from the same population (Kursk district, Russia, 51 degreesN, 36 degrees 40" E) was analyzed. The work was aimed at checking the hypothesis postulating a parallel variability at different levels, from population to species and above the species level (Pavlinov et al., 1993). The data were analyzed by nonparametric methods (multidimensional scaling, in particular), which were tested using artificial models, (determined and random). The comparison of the results obtained by the principal components analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling showed that the latter method described morphological variability more adequately than the others. Two groups of mole rat males whose rostral parts differed in size were found.