Skeletal morphological analysis of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Lithuania

The aim of the present study is: to carry out a comparative osteological and osteometric analysis of skulls and long and flat bones of extremities of red foxes and raccoon dogs. The tasks include: 1. Measuring and comparison of the bones of male and female red foxes and raccoon dogs: skulls with jawbones, molars, the flat bones of extremities – scapula and pelvic bones – and the long bones of extremities – humerus, forearm, femur and crural bone. 2. Comparison of the bones of raccoon dogs and red foxes based on the obtained osteometric data about: skulls with jawbones, molars, the flat bones of extremities – scapula and pelvic bones – and the long bones of extremities – humerus, forearm bones, femur and crural bone. 3. Calculation of the indices of skulls and the indicated long bones of extremities – humerus, radius, femur and tibia – and comparison of these indices in the studied animals of different gender and species. 4. Morphological analysis of the bones – skulls with jawbones, the flat bones of extremities (scapula and pelvic bones) and the long bones of extremities (humerus, forearm, femur and crural bone) – of the studied species of animals by the method of comparative anatomy. 5. Determining the morphological features of the bones – internal structure of the skulls and frontal sinuses – of the studies species of animals (red foxes and raccoon dogs) by the method of computer tomography. The present work is a first attempt of comparative morphological analysis of the skulls and bones of extremities of raccoon dogs and red foxes in Lithuania. Also for the first time, the method of computer tomography was applied in osteological investigation of wild fauna. The obtained morphological data will be included in the database of osteometric measurements to be used in the future in forensic investigations and for comparison of modern and fossil osteological material of other countries