Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXX, Issue 1
Written by Petronela Mihaela ROȘU, Bogdan GEORGESCU, Cristian Romeo BELU, Valerica DĂNACU, Sorina Andreea MIHAI, Adela Ioana MUSTĂȚEA
This study aims to describe the morphological characteristics of the jackal skull. The jackal (Canis aureus) belongs to the Order Carnivora, Family Canidae, and is widespread in northern Africa and southern Europe. In Romania, the number of specimens of this species has dramatically increased in recent years because the jackal has no natural predators, and wolf specimens are rare. The skull features are valuable elements of species identification. Data on skull morphology in jackals in the specialized literature are few and lacking in detail. A skull from an adult specimen from the Anatomy discipline collection was used for the study. The following conclusions emerged: the external sagittal crest is very high; the paracondylar processes are attached to the tympanic bulla; the foramen lacerum is absent; the presence of 2-3 lesser palatine foramina, placed caudal to the greater palatine foramen; the supraorbital foramen is absent; on the medial face of the angular process there is a reduced fossa.
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