Sexual Dimorphism in the Skeletal Morphology of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus): A Preliminary Morphometric Study of Skull, Scapula, and Pelvis.

BACKGROUND

Sexual dimorphism in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) is evident in external features, but skeletal differences remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the skull, scapula, and pelvis using traditional morphometric methods to assess sex-related variation.

METHODS

Eleven skeletal specimens were analyzed, including nine skulls, eleven pelves, and eighteen scapulae. Linear measurements were obtained using measuring tape and calipers. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests, Pearson's correlation, and logistic regression for sex prediction.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in skull measurements between sexes. However, the pelvis and scapula exhibited notable variation. Significant pelvic parameters included pelvic girdle length (p = 0.024), symphysis length (p = 0.012), and pubis shaft perimeter (p = 0.048). Scapular differences were observed in diagonal breadth, mediolateral width, and spine length. Logistic regression using pelvic measurements yielded 100% accuracy for female classification and 66.67% for males, with an overall prediction accuracy of 90.91%.

CONCLUSIONS

The pelvis demonstrated the highest reliability for sex determination. These findings enhance the anatomical understanding of Asian elephants and support applications in conservation, forensic science, and population studies. Future research with larger sample sizes and advanced imaging may improve the precision of morphometric sex prediction models.