Figure 1: The first two canonical variates of the canonical
variate analysis (CV1 and CV2) of skull shape variation amongst
localities of R. simulator . Light blue outline represents the
average shape; dark blue outline shows the deviation of shape of the
skull from the average. Locality abbreviations: NZ = northern Zimbabwe,
SZ = southern Zimbabwe and parts of northern South Africa and south of
Botswana, NE = north-eastern South Africa, SE = south-eastern South
Africa, and DR = Democratic republic of Congo.
For R. cf. simulator , the first two canonical variates of CVA of
shape variation amongst localities explained 100% of the variation
(Fig. 2). CV1 was associated with changes in the caudal region and
anterior medial swelling of the skull, as shown by the wireframe graphs
(77% of the variation; Fig. 2). The NZ locality fell at the positive
end of CV1 and appeared to have a smaller and more anteriorly positioned
anterior medial swelling and a narrower and more shortened cranium than
the average shape. Conversely, DR locality fell at the negative end of
CV1 and had a larger more posterior nasal dome, a broader and longer
cranium relative to the average. One locality (NE) fell within the
intermediate shape zone. CV2 was associated with the cochlea and caudal
dimensions (Fig. 2). All localities seemed to group on the average shape
space for CV2 which accounted for 23% of the variation. CV3 could not
be derived from the R. cf. simulator data set because of the
small sample size.