Multivariate Analyses of Skull Morphometrics from the Two Species of Grey Kangaroos, Macropus giganteus Shaw and M. fuliginosus (Desmarest)

Abstract

Species of grey kangaroos may be distinguished on the basis of differences in coat colour. Although alleviating the need for special equipment the technique lacks accuracy. It was hoped that possible morphological differences reflected in skull size and shape might discriminate between species. Thirty parameters were measured from each of 148 reference skulls and differences between species, sexes, and interaction between species and sexes, were tested by univariate analysis of variance. Canonical variate analysis was then used to discriminate by species and sex between eastern greys and mainland and insular forms of the western grey kangaroo. The discriminants derived from these reference skulls were then used to allocate by species and sex a further set of 52 skulls, drawn from small samples and a variety of localities. This allocation was less successful. The validity of the technique is discussed in relation to the analysis of large samples from a restricted locality, as opposed to small samples or individual skulls.