scholarly journals Initial Investigations of the Cranial Size and Shape of Adult Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Great Britain

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Damian J. J. Farnell ◽  
Chern Khor ◽  
Wayne Nishio Ayre ◽  
Zoe Doyle ◽  
Elizabeth A. Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Distance Measurements ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
3D Surface ◽  
Shape Data

Three-dimensional (3D) surface scans were carried out in order to determine the shapes of the upper sections of (skeletal) crania of adult Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) from Great Britain. Landmark points were placed on these shapes using a graphical user interface (GUI) and distance measurements (i.e., the length, height, and width of the crania) were found by using the landmark points. Male otters had significantly larger skulls than females (P < 0.001). Differences in size also occurred by geographical area in Great Britain (P < 0.05). Multilevel Principal Components Analysis (mPCA) indicated that sex and geographical area explained 31.1% and 9.6% of shape variation in “unscaled” shape data and that they explained 17.2% and 9.7% of variation in “scaled” data. The first mode of variation at level 1 (sex) correctly reflected size changes between males and females for “unscaled” shape data. Modes at level 2 (geographical area) also showed possible changes in size and shape. Clustering by sex and geographical area was observed in standardized component scores. Such clustering in a cranial shape by geographical area might reflect genetic differences in otter populations in Great Britain, although other potentially confounding factors (e.g., population age-structure, diet, etc.) might also drive regional differences. This work provides a successful first test of the effectiveness of 3D surface scans and multivariate methods, such as mPCA, to study the cranial morphology of otters.

scholarly journals Initial Investigations of the Cranial Size and Shape of Adult Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Great Britain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian JJ Farnell ◽  
Chern Khor ◽  
Zoe Doyle ◽  
Wayne N Ayre ◽  
Elizabeth Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Distance Measurements ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Physical Measurements ◽  
3D Surface ◽  
Shape Data

3D surface scans were carried out to determine the shapes of the upper sections of (skeletal) crania of adult Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) from Great Britain. Landmark points were placed on these shapes by using a graphical user interface (GUI) and distance measurements (i.e., the length, height, and width of the crania) could be found by using the landmark points. These &ldquo;GUI-based&rdquo; distances were shown to be accurate and reliable in comparison to physical measurements taken on the crania directly by using a digital calliper. The crania of males were 6.85mm, 5.44mm, 1.66mm larger in terms of length, width and height, respectively, than females in our sample (P &lt; 0.001), i.e., male otters had significantly larger skulls than females. Significant differences in size occurred also by geographical area in Great Britain (P &lt; 0.05). Multilevel Principal Components Analysis (mPCA) indicated that sex and geographical area explained 31.1% and 9.6% of shape variation in &ldquo;unscaled&rdquo; shape data and that they explained 17.2% and 9.7% of variation in &ldquo;scaled&rdquo; data. The first mode of variation at level 1 (sex) correctly reflected size changes between males and females for &ldquo;unscaled&rdquo; shape data. Modes at level 2 (geographical area) also showed possible changes in size and shape. Clustering by sex and geographical area was observed in standardised component scores. Such clustering in cranial shape by geographical area might reflect genetic differences that are known to occur in otter populations in Great Britain, although other potentially confounding factors (e.g. population age-structure, diet, etc.) might also drive regional differences. Furthermore, sample sizes per group were small for geographical comparisons. However, this work provides a successful first test of the effectiveness of 3D surface scans and multivariate methods such as mPCA to study the cranial morphology of otters.

scholarly journals Inter- and intraspecific variation in the Artibeus species complex demonstrates size and shape partitioning among species

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11777
Author(s):  
Brandon P. Hedrick
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Ecological Resources ◽  
Artibeus Lituratus

Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (family Phyllostomidae) are one of the most diverse mammalian families and Artibeus spp. is one of the most speciose phyllostomid genera. In spite of their species diversity, previous work on Artibeus crania using linear morphometrics has uncovered limited interspecific variation. This dearth of shape variation suggests that differences in cranial morphology are not contributing to niche partitioning across species, many of which are often found in sympatry. Using two-dimensional geometric morphometric methods on crania from eleven species from the Artibeus species complex, the current study demonstrates substantial cranial interspecific variation, sexual size and shape dimorphism, and intraspecific geographic variation. The majority of species were shown to have a unique size and shape, which suggests that each species may be taking advantage of slightly different ecological resources. Further, both sexual size and shape dimorphism were significant in the Artibeus species complex. Male and female Artibeus are known to have sex specific foraging strategies, with males eating near their roosts and females feeding further from their roosts. The presence of cranial sexual dimorphism in the Artibeus species complex, combined with previous work showing that different fruit size and hardness is correlated with different cranial shapes in phyllostomids, indicates that the males and females may be utilizing different food resources, leading to divergent cranial morphotypes. Additional field studies will be required to confirm this emergent hypothesis. Finally, significant geographical shape variation was found in a large intraspecific sample of Artibeus lituratus crania. However, this variation was not correlated with latitude and instead may be linked to local environmental factors. Additional work on ecology and behavior in the Artibeus species complex underlying the morphological variation uncovered in this study will allow for a better understanding of how the group has reached its present diversity.

Performing Distance Measurements in Curved Facial Regions: A Comparison between Three-Dimensional Surface Scanning and Ultrasound Imaging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Alfertshofer ◽  
Konstantin Frank ◽  
Dmitry V. Melnikov ◽  
Nicholas Möllhoff ◽  
Robert H. Gotkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Ultrasound Measurement ◽  
Surface Scanning ◽  
Distance Measurements ◽  
Surgical Performance ◽  
Facial Region ◽  
3D Surface ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Mean

AbstractFacial flap surgery depends strongly on thorough preoperative planning and precise surgical performance. To increase the dimensional accuracy of transferred facial flaps, the methods of ultrasound and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning offer great possibilities. This study aimed to compare different methods of measuring distances in the facial region and where they can be used reliably. The study population consisted of 20 volunteers (10 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 26.7 ± 7.2 years and a mean body mass index of 22.6 ± 2.2 kg/m2. Adhesives with a standardized length of 20 mm were measured in various facial regions through ultrasound and 3D surface scans, and the results were compared. Regardless of the facial region, the mean length measured through ultrasound was 18.83 mm, whereas it was 19.89 mm for 3D surface scans, with both p < 0.0001. Thus, the mean difference was 1.17 mm for ultrasound measurements and 0.11 mm for 3D surface scans. Curved facial regions show a great complexity when it comes to measuring distances due to the concavity and convexity of the face. Distance measurements through 3D surface scanning showed more accurate distances than the ultrasound measurement. Especially in “complex” facial regions (e.g., glabella region and labiomental sulcus), the 3D surface scanning showed clear advantages.

scholarly journals Subspecies and sexual craniofacial size and shape variations in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wataru Yano ◽  
Naoko Egi ◽  
Tomo Takano ◽  
Naomichi Ogihara
Keyword(s):  
Macaca Fuscata ◽  
Japanese Macaque ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Shape Space ◽  
Size Difference ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Temporal Fossa ◽  
Size And Shape

AbstractIn order to investigate craniofacial size and three-dimensional shape variations independently in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) we used a geometric morphometries technique. A total of 55 specimens were CT scanned to generate a three-dimensional model of each cranium, and 57 landmarks were digitized to analyze the craniofacial shape variation in the Japanese macaque. The results showed that four intra-specific groups, consisting of two subspecies and the two sexes, differed in both size and shape space. In size, the cranium of the Macaca fuscata yakui (MFY) was smaller than that of Macaca fuscata fuscata (MFF) in both sexes, and female crania were smaller than male crania in both subspecies. Shape sexual dimorphisms in both subspecies were detected in the first axis of principal component analysis and were related to a relatively broad orbit, smaller neurocranium, enlarged snout, and broader temporal fossa in males. The shape differences between subspecies showed different features than those between sexes. Male subspecies shape differences were detected in the first and third axes, while those for females were in the first and second axes. Subspecies shape differences common to both sexes were a narrower orbit, relatively small neurocranium, longer snout, and postorbital constriction in MFY. Male MFY was specifically characterized by a more anterior and superior direction of snout protrusion. In contrast, female MFY showed an inferior direction of snout protrusion. Female MFY also had a taller orbit. With regard to the relationship between size and shape differences, shape sexual dimorphism for each subspecies was positively associated with size difference, but there was no such association between subspecies in either sex. Size does not seem to play an important role in subspeciation of Macaca fuscata.

A three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis of variation in cranial size and shape in tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) populations

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Hadley ◽  
Nick Milne ◽  
Lincoln H. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Geographic Separation ◽  
Analysis Of Variation

This study uses geometric morphometric techniques to examine cranial size and shape variation in nine isolated populations of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). A set of 36 three-dimensional landmarks were digitised on 143 tammar crania from two mainland and seven island populations. While there was no evidence of island dwarfism or gigantism, cranial size increased with both increasing island size and increasing latitude. As latitude increased, the palate narrowed relative to the nasal bones, cranial flexion and nasal height increased, and the zygomatic arches spread out laterally from the cranium. Overall, the anterior nasal aperture (nares) narrowed with increasing latitude. Mean shapes were calculated for each population, and pair-wise comparisons were made; most of these were significantly different. There was a clear tendency for island populations and those with greater geographic separation to show greater shape differentiation. Thus, regional and population differences in the cranial size and shape of tammar wallabies provide examples of selection, founder effect and random genetic drift.

scholarly journals Data-Driven Intelligent 3D Surface Measurement in Smart Manufacturing: Review and Outlook

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Yuhang Yang ◽  
Zhiqiao Dong ◽  
Yuquan Meng ◽  
Chenhui Shao
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Sampling Design ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Surface Measurement ◽  
Smart Manufacturing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
3D Surface

High-fidelity characterization and effective monitoring of spatial and spatiotemporal processes are crucial for high-performance quality control of many manufacturing processes and systems in the era of smart manufacturing. Although the recent development in measurement technologies has made it possible to acquire high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) surface measurement data, it is generally expensive and time-consuming to use such technologies in real-world production settings. Data-driven approaches that stem from statistics and machine learning can potentially enable intelligent, cost-effective surface measurement and thus allow manufacturers to use high-resolution surface data for better decision-making without introducing substantial production cost induced by data acquisition. Among these methods, spatial and spatiotemporal interpolation techniques can draw inferences about unmeasured locations on a surface using the measurement of other locations, thus decreasing the measurement cost and time. However, interpolation methods are very sensitive to the availability of measurement data, and their performances largely depend on the measurement scheme or the sampling design, i.e., how to allocate measurement efforts. As such, sampling design is considered to be another important field that enables intelligent surface measurement. This paper reviews and summarizes the state-of-the-art research in interpolation and sampling design for surface measurement in varied manufacturing applications. Research gaps and future research directions are also identified and can serve as a fundamental guideline to industrial practitioners and researchers for future studies in these areas.

scholarly journals A developmentally descriptive method for quantifying shape in gastropod shells

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (163) ◽  
pp. 20190721
Author(s):  
J. Larsson ◽  
A. M. Westram ◽  
S. Bengmark ◽  
T. Lundh ◽  
R. K. Butlin
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Littorina Saxatilis ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Gastropod Shell ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Descriptive Method

The growth of snail shells can be described by simple mathematical rules. Variation in a few parameters can explain much of the diversity of shell shapes seen in nature. However, empirical studies of gastropod shell shape variation typically use geometric morphometric approaches, which do not capture this growth pattern. We have developed a way to infer a set of developmentally descriptive shape parameters based on three-dimensional logarithmic helicospiral growth and using landmarks from two-dimensional shell images as input. We demonstrate the utility of this approach, and compare it to the geometric morphometric approach, using a large set of Littorina saxatilis shells in which locally adapted populations differ in shape. Our method can be modified easily to make it applicable to a wide range of shell forms, which would allow for investigations of the similarities and differences between and within many different species of gastropods.

THREE DIMENSIONAL INTERPRETATION OF GRAVITATIONAL ANOMALIES

Geophysics ◽  
1952 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fraser S. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Field ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Relaxation Method ◽  
The Body ◽  
Multipole Moments ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Surface Field ◽  
Derivatives Of

A method is developed for determining the approximate size and shape of the three‐dimensional mass distribution that is required to produce a given gravitational field. The first few reduced multipole moments of the distribution are calculated from the derivatives of the surface field, and the approximative structure is determined from the values of these moments and a knowledge of the density contrast between the body and its surroundings. A system of classification of problems by symmetry is introduced and its practical usage discussed. A relaxation method is described which may be used to adjust the initial solution systematically to give agreement over the whole field. A descriptive discussion is appended.

A lateral approach to the feline cerebellar fossa: case report and identification of an external landmark for the tentorium ossium

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-365
Author(s):  
Marc Kent ◽  
Eric N Glass ◽  
Jordan Schachar
Keyword(s):  
Flat Surface ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Lateral Approach ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Lateral Aspect ◽  
Temporal Fossa ◽  
3D Reconstructions ◽  
3D Volume ◽  
External Landmark ◽  
Ct Studies

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the use of an external landmark that defines the attachment of the tentorium ossium for planning a craniectomy to access the cerebellar fossa. The external landmark was defined by a line where the caudal aspect of the convexity of the cranium transitions to a flat surface in the caudal aspect of the temporal fossa. We also aimed to determine if this external landmark was present and readily visualized, and to establish its relationship to the nuchal crest using three-dimensional (3D) volume-rendered CT reconstructions created from cats with normal cranial morphology. Methods First, a case is presented for the description of an approach in a cat with a meningioma located dorsolateral to the cerebellum. Second, CT studies of five cats with normal cranial morphology were selected. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn at the attachment of the tentorium ossium to the cranium and nuchal crest. Three-dimensional reconstructions were developed with colored ROI overlays. The external landmark defined the tentorial attachment on all 3D reconstructions. Additionally, using the postoperative CT of the clinical case described herein, ROIs of the tentorial attachment and nuchal crest along with a third ROI, the craniectomy, were drawn and overlaid on the 3D reconstruction to illustrate the position of the craniectomy in relation to the tentorium ossium attachment and nuchal crest. Results The use of the external landmark provided for a craniectomy that enabled adequate visualization for excision of a meningioma. On all 3D reconstructions, the external landmark was present and readily visualized. Conclusions and relevance Between the attachment of the tentorium ossium and nuchal crest exists an area adequately sized for a craniectomy in cats. Clinicians can use an identifiable external landmark on the lateral aspect of the cranium to plan the rostral boundary for a craniectomy to access the cerebellar fossa in cats.

scholarly journals The impact of allometry on vomer shape and its implications for the taxonomy and cranial kinesis of crown-group birds

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Plateau ◽  
Christian Foth
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Part ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Crown Group ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Cranial Kinesis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shape Data

AbstractCrown birds are subdivided into two main groups, Palaeognathae and Neognathae, that can be distinguished, among others, by the organization of the bones in their pterygoid-palatine complex (PPC). Shape variation to the vomer, which is the most anterior part of the PPC, was recently analysed by Hu et al. (2019) with help of geometric morphometrics to discover morphological differences between palaeognath and neognath birds. Based on this study, the vomer was identified as sufficient to distinguish the two main groups (and even more inclusive neognath groups) and their cranial kinetic system. As there are notable size differences between the skulls of palaeognaths and neognaths, we here investigate the impact of allometry on vomeral shape and its implication for taxonomic classification by re-analysing the data of the previous study. Different types of multivariate statistical analyses reveal that taxonomic identification based on vomeral shape is strongly impaired by allometry, as the error of correct identification is high when shape data is corrected for size. This finding is evident by a great overlap between palaeognath and neognath subclades in morphospace. The correct identification is further influenced by the convergent presence of a flattened vomeral morphotype in multiple neognath subclades. As the evolution of cranial kinesis has been linked to vomeral shape in the original study, the existing correlation between shape and size of the vomer across different bird groups found in the present study questions this conclusion. In fact, cranial kinesis in crown birds results from the loss of the jugal-postorbital bar in the temporal region and ectopterygoid in the PPC and the combination of a mobilized quadrate-zygomatic arch complex and a flexible PPC. Therefore, we can conclude that the vomer itself is not a suitable proxy for exploring the evolution of cranial kinesis in crown birds and their ancestors.

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