Morphological variability of the baculum in Martes foina (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Turkey

Abstract

The present study was based on the bacula of 39 male (17 juvenile, 22 adult) stone marten (Martes foina) samples obtained fromall geographical regions of Turkey between 1995 and 2016. Morphological variability in 11 characteristics of bacula was investigated.The purpose of this study was to measure numerical characters of the baculum, to identify relationships between measurements, and toevaluate variabilities in its morphology. Weight, total length, base length, base height, base width, apex height, apex width, median width,and median height were significantly greater in the bacula of adults compared to the bacula of juveniles. The most variable characteristicin adults was base width (18.96%). There was a significant relationship between some characteristics of the bacula measured. Thestrongest positive relationships were observed between median height and baculum weight (r = 0.771), weight and base length (r =0.755), and median width and weight (r = 0.750) characteristics. Statistical analysis (PCA) also revealed a strong relationship betweensome characteristics. In particular, positive correlations between width and height sizes in the base (proximal), median, and distal ofthe baculum, as well as axis–apex height and apex width, suggest relationships that protect the urethra and baculum from fissures andfractures during copulation.