Fluctuating craniodental asymmetry in the southern African cheetah Acinonyx jubatus jubatus

Author

• Stephanie Julia. Sabshin

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) continues to be an object of intensive study with respect to its genetic heterozygosity and its drastic decline in the wild. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) has been used to evaluate the levels of inbreeding and monomorphism in the cheetah. A measurement of craniodental FA was undertaken to compare the southern African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) with previously collected craniodental FA measurements from the East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi). Unlike their counterparts, the southern African cheetah did not show significant asymmetry. These findings suggest that fluctuating asymmetry cannot be used as a determination of genetic depletion in cheetahs.

Comments

by Stephanie Julia Sabshin.

Recommended Citation

Sabshin, Stephanie Julia., "Fluctuating craniodental asymmetry in the southern African cheetah Acinonyx jubatus jubatus" (2007). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 60.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/60

Extent

vi, 30 leaves : ill.

Identifier

314410918