Cranial and External Morphology of Male and Female Orange Headed Tree Squirrels (Funisciurus leucogenys) in Selected Locations of Savannah Forest in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the differences in cranial and external morphology of male and female tree squirrel species (Funisciurus leucogenys) from three different locations in Savannah vegetation zone of Nigeria. The tree squirrels were collected from contracted local hunters which identify the tree squirrel. After collection and identification to the generic level, they were transferred to the laboratory in absolute ethanol. About 183 skulls were prepared (58 male and 125 female), the skull and other body parameters were measured using digital venire calliper. The results showed that the body parameters (HBL, TL, TBL, EL, HFL, and BW) of the female specimen measured were different from male and the body parameters of the specimen from one location were slightly different from another. Also, the cranial measure showed some similarities and slight differences between male and female specimen among the locations (Asejire, Ilorin, and Ogbomosho). In conclusion, the cranial and body morphology parameters of male and female tree squirrels from the three locations (Asejire, Ilorin, and Ogbomosho) showed that despite that the tree squirrels were from different locations, they were of the same genus (F. leucogeny), which indicated that locations might not have an effect on the specimen.