Ontogenetic intraspecific allometry of autochthonous and reintroduced Eurasian beaver Castor fiber populations

Abstract

Ontogenetic allometry of the cranium was studied in 580 individuals of the Eurasian beavers Castor fiber in two subspecies out of six autochthonous and reintroduced populations using the methods of multivariate nonparametric statistics. It was noted that the growth dynamics demonstrates a correspondence to trajectories of ontogenetic rodent models with the difference that intensive beaver growth finishes by the age of four years. Significant differences in the dynamics of age variability were detected in the beavers of two subspecies; with somewhat smaller initial postnatal sizes, C. fiber belorussicus grows faster than C. fiber orientoeuropaeus.