Author(s): Elsasser, S. C. & Parker, G. H.
Title: Morphometric criteria for distinguishing species and age-cohorts of Ermine (Mustela erminea) and Long-tailed weasel (M. frenata)
Year: 2008
Volume: 54
Pages: 75-88.
Abstract: Morphologically similar ermine (Mustela erminea) and long-tailed weasel (M. frenata) were studied to identify diagnostic criteria and confirm the level of certainty with which specimens, both skulls and whole body carcasses, can be classified to species and age classes. Analyses of 9 whole body and 15 skull morphometric measures of 203 specimens revealed that several options for reliable species classification may be employed, ranging from the simultaneous use of several traits as identified within a discriminant function to the use of a single specified trait in cases where pertinent information for the specimen in question may be unavailable. Species identification based on discriminant functions and compliance within range values for selected traits appears possible regardless of gender. Tail vertebrae counts in conjunction with gender information served to successfully distinguish all ermine from long-tailed weasels in the present study. Age-class discrimination was most successful (~75%) with a combination of skull and baculum variables. In terms of practical application, this study provides a solid basis for reliably distinguishing trapper-harvested specimens of either species, including those subjects having sustained extensive trap-inflicted skull damage or tail breakage during the pelting process.
Keywords: classification, morphometrics, Mustela, species identification, weasel
Journal: Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
Journal abbreviation:
ISSN: 1217-8837
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Bakonyi, G., Wei, C.-H., Mahunka, S., Horváth, Cs., Papp, L., Nakayama, A., Báldi, A., Yen, S.-H., Csuzdi, Cs., Nieukerken, E. J. van, Forró, L., Wojtusiak, J., Mey, W. & Masumoto, K.
