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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Persian fallow deer (PFD), Dama dama mesopotamica, is one of the rarest members of the Cervidae
family currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
OBJECTIVES: Morphological variations in the skulls of male and female PFDs were evaluated in this investigation.
METHODS: In cooperation with the Department of Environment, skulls and mandibles were obtained from five male and
four female animals. After the usual practices of bone cleaning, the specimens were evaluated for morphological differences.
Next, 29 parameters were measured on the skulls and mandibles by a digital Vernier caliper for morphometric studies. In
addition, ten, six, and nine landmark points were defined on the left lateral photos of mandibles, dorsal, and left lateral photos
of skulls, respectively. The points were digitized on two-dimensional images using the TpsDig2 software. The shape differences between the two genders were analyzed using discriminate function analysis in the MorphoJ software.
RESULTS: The interfrontal ridge was more prominent in male PFDs than in female animals. Moreover, there were some
significant differences in the measured parameters, mostly in the mandible. The geometric morphometric evaluations
showed no significant differences between the two genders.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present investigation revealed some morphological differences between the skulls
of male and female PFDs.
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