Geometric morphometry in veterinary anatomy

Abstract

Geometric morphometry is a shape analysis method based on the analysis of landmarks, curves and contours, all geometric data from two or three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates. In this analysis, analysis is made on 2 or 3 dimensional samples using Landmark processes. After the Landmark processes, Generalized Procrustes Analysis is applied to standardize the coordinate data before statistical analysis. Then, with Procrustes Analysis, the points are superimposed, and, then, the average shape is obtained. With Principal Component Analysis, shape variations are obtained for all samples. Shape differences between groups can be revealed using Discriminant Function Analysis and Canonical Variate Analysis. In recent years, shape analysis has been used in veterinary anatomy, and shape variations between samples have been revealed. Geometric morphometry, which includes more interpretation features than linear measurements, has brought a different perspective to veterinary anatomy. It contains useful reference information, especially in the field of gender analysis and taxonomy.