Craniometric phenogeography of forest reindeer of Siberia and the Far East

The study was conducted to establish the breed identity of domestic reindeer from the forest zone of Siberia and the Far East. A comparative analysis of craniometric data was conducted using 20 measurements and 15 indices. It was found that the craniometric characteristics of reindeer of this forest megaecotype significantly differ from those of animals from other reindeer herding regions by being larger. The indices indicate a relatively smaller width, narrowing of the orbits and zygomatic arches, narrow nasal bones, elongation of the facial region and frontal bones, a higher rostrum, and a more robust occipital region. Analysis of the craniometric data reveals similarities between reindeer from the forest zone of Siberia and the Far East, indicating their phylogenetic relationship. The largest skull sizes are characteristic of reindeer from Evenkia, the Republic of Tyva, and Khabarovsk Krai. Sexual dimorphism in skull size is clearly evident. Thus, in males in Evenkia (Baikitsky District), the greatest length and greatest width of the skull averaged 422.90 mm and 176.50 mm, respectively; in Tyva (Todzhinsky District), 410.00 mm and 179.75 mm; and in Khabarovsk Krai (Ayano-Maisky District), 414.60 mm and 180.00 mm. Sexual dimorphism in skull size is clearly pronounced; therefore, the corresponding measurements in females are noticeably lower. Domestic reindeer from other areas of the regions, although somewhat smaller than those shown, are not significant, allowing us to classify the studied populations as belonging to a single breed – the Evenki – and to use craniometric parameters in the application of neural networks for reindeer identification.

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