Effect of selection for behavior on cranial traits in the American mink (Mustela vison)

摘要

Cranial sizes of America mink selected for tame and aggressive behavior (towards Humans) and control mink, which were not selected for behavior , were compared. Absolute sizes of the skull were demonstrated to change depending on the direction of selection, SExual dimorphism was reduced mine selected for aggressive behavior , because the cranial sizes of females increased and those of females decease. cranial traits were analyzed by the method of principal components. The groups studied differed form one another with respect other first four components. Although the vector of selection determined the differences between groups, some morphological changes were similar in the groups selected for tame and aggressive behavior.