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Biology_of_Mustelids_Vol_1.pdf

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136.<br />

the ratio <strong>of</strong> the interoribtal to the postorbital width in males is on<br />

average 1.02 (0.86-1.13) and in females 0.97 (0.74-1.10).<br />

In martens <strong>of</strong> the first age group the total length <strong>of</strong> the skull,<br />

the basilar length, the condylobasal length and the zygomatic width <strong>of</strong> the<br />

skull are all shorter than in the other groups.<br />

With age there is also<br />

increase in the length <strong>of</strong> the cerebral part <strong>of</strong> the skull, the length <strong>of</strong><br />

the hard palate, the greatest width <strong>of</strong> the skull and the width <strong>of</strong> the skull<br />

over the canine teeth.<br />

During the growth <strong>of</strong> martens the cerebral part<br />

<strong>of</strong> the skull decreasas, namely, the width <strong>of</strong> the skull capsule, the<br />

postorbital width and also the height <strong>of</strong> the skull (see Tables 1 and 2).<br />

In some individuals <strong>of</strong> the first age group the sutures <strong>of</strong> the<br />

skull bones are still visible.<br />

The sutures <strong>of</strong> the nasal bones are particularly<br />

clearly outlined even at the age <strong>of</strong> 8-10 months.<br />

The second age group comprises adult martens under the age <strong>of</strong><br />

three years (see Figs.1 (b) and 2 (b»). In the individuals <strong>of</strong> this age<br />

group, at the junction <strong>of</strong> the pareital bones and tha superior occipital<br />

bone a rudimentary crest forms,<br />

the left part <strong>of</strong> which does not meet the<br />

right over a shorter distance than in the preceding group (see Table 3).<br />

Appreciable changes are also observed in the development <strong>of</strong> the<br />

temporal lines, the width between which gradually narrows.<br />

This narrowing<br />

takes place over their entire length, and their union begins at the base<br />

[occipital end] <strong>of</strong> the skull.<br />

At the junction <strong>of</strong> the left and right<br />

parietal bones, an eminence forms -<br />

the rudiment <strong>of</strong> the future sagittal<br />

crest, the height <strong>of</strong> which, in the females reaches on average 1.1 mm,<br />

and<br />

in the males 1.4 mm.<br />

The width <strong>of</strong> the postorbital constriction appreciably decreases,<br />

according to our findings, on average by more than 1 mm.<br />

Since the<br />

interorbital width and the width between the apices <strong>of</strong> the supraorbital<br />

processes increase, the postorbital constriction becomes more noticeable.<br />

The ratio <strong>of</strong> the interorbital to the postorbital width in males is on

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