Changes of skull size in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) during the second half of the 20th century in the Middle Urals and neighboring regions

Abstract

Based on 30-year collection of red fox skulls from the Middle Urals, the north of Kurgan oblast, and the south of Tyumen oblast, an increase in average values of craniometrics characters has been revealed in both young and adult animals of both sexes. This increase shows a weak but statistically significant correlation with annual average temperature. The rates of increase in different characters are not equal.