Multivariate analysis of allometry in a single population of Coyotes (Canidae: Canis latrans Say).

Abstract

Allometric growth relationships within a single population of Coyotes (Canis latrans) from Kern County, California were analyzed. Three primary questions were considered: 1) what, if any, is the effect of age and or sex on morphological variation; 2) what, if any, is the extent of sexual dimorphism in allometric growth; and 3) how does a classical, subjective age criterion compare to ages based upon an analysis of tooth cementum layers. Based upon an examination of 118 skulls, six subjective age classes were recognized which more or less correspond to the absolute ages as determined by tooth cementum layers. Twelve cranial measurements were analyzed by Regression, Principal Components and Canonical Discriminant analyses. Males and females were found to grow at similar rates, as indicated by the slopes of the regression lines, but females simply stopped growing at an earlier age. Males were larger in size for all age groups and for all measurements. Sex and error were found to be the major components in the variance analysis. Age contributed significantly only to one variable (zygomatic breadth). The results of our analyses are incorporated into a hypothesis concerning energetics of Coyote reproduction.