The study investigated whether there is a morphological difference between the shape of the female and male quail’s skulls. For this purpose, 18 female and 21 male quails were used. After the skulls were obtained, their photographs were taken, and geometric analysis was performed. Dorsal (14 landmarks), caudal (8 landmarks), and ventral (13 landmarks) images of skulls were evaluated. As a result of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 28 principal components (PCs) were obtained for dorsal view, 16 PCs for caudal view, and 26 PCs for ventral view. PC1 (41.206%) for the caudal aspect explained the highest shape variation in terms of sex. It was seen that PC1 for dorsal view explained 33.046% and PC1 for ventral view explained 34.495% shape variation. For the dorsal view, the orbital pit of males was found to be deeper than females. The foramen magnum was narrower in female skulls. The lateral borders of the neurocranium were more pointed upwards in males. On ventral view, it was seen that male individuals had a wider skull in shape. Geometrically, it was determined that the male and female distinction was the best in the dorsal view. According to the dorsal view, only one male individual was found to be in the female group, and all other male individuals were completely separated from the females. After the dorsal view, the best distinction was seen ventrally. In the caudal examination, sexual discrimination was not fully seen. In this study, shape differences in quail’s skulls were examined between sexes, and shape differences were revealed geometrically. In addition to traditional morphometry studies, it is thought that geometric analysis studies will add a useful perspective to the literature.

The aim of this study was to investigate and record data on the morphometrical parameters of the skull and mandible in Sharri sheep. We have evaluated 34 skulls (24 females and 10 males) of Sharri sheep (Ovis aries), a local breed of sheep from Northern Macedonia. Fifty-one measurements were evaluated in total: 37 parameters on the skull and 14 parameters on the mandible. The results of the study show that, in general, the morphology and morphometric parameters of the skull and mandible, of Sharri sheep are similar to those of other sheep breeds with few differences. The mean skull length (SL), skull height (SH), distance between two supraorbital foramina (DBTSF), orbital length (OL), mandible length (ML) and Sharri sheep diastema (D) were 247.47 ± 13.12 mm, 104.71 ± 6.21 mm, 50.73 ± 3.44 mm, 41.21 ± 1.99 mm, 185.91 ± 13.33 mm and 45.81 ± 3.73 mm, respectively. The results also show that out of 51 parameters, only 13 show a statistically significant difference between females and males, particularly the distance of akrokranion to opisthion (AO), articular surface length of mandibular condyle (ASL) and anterior limit of the mandibular foramen to cranial border of ramus mandible (RBMFRMRM). The findings of this study are important in many aspects: morphologically, morphometrically and especially clinically, during surgical interventions in the head region. With a lack of information in current literature on the investigated parameters in this sheep breed, the present data are a solid basis for further studies in comparative anatomy with other ruminants and in other areas such as zooarchaeology and animal welfare.

This study aimed to reveal the morphological characteristics of pure Holstein and Simmental skulls and to obtain reference values for morphometric analysis. Moreover, 54 skulls from 12- to 14-month-old male Holstein (n = 25) and Simmental (n = 29) cattle were collected from Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia Region between 2023 and 2024. Linear measurements indicated that Holsteins had longer skulls compared to Simmentals. Holsteins exhibited significantly higher values for the greatest length of nasals and the shortest skull length. The facial breadth was wider in Holsteins and statistically distinctive between the breeds. Holsteins had a more oval orbital bony roof, while Simmentals exhibited a wider orbital structure. The orbital index was higher in Holsteins, distinguishing between the two breeds. It was observed that Simmental cattle had a wider occipital region. This difference is likely due to the larger lateral appearance of the Simmental skull, which has more body weight and provides a larger surface area for muscle attachment. These differences not only aid in breed identification but also offer insights into the functional adaptations of each breed. Future research should explore the genetic and environmental factors contributing to these morphological traits, further enriching our knowledge of cattle morphology and its implications for breeding and conservation efforts.