Zihni Mutlu1, Yusuf Altundag2*, and Barış Can
Güzel3
1Istanbul
University-Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of
Surgery, Istanbul, Türkiye; 2Namik Kemal University,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery, Tekirdag,
Türkiye; 3Siirt University, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Siirt, Türkiye
*Corresponding author:
ysf.altundag@hotmail.com
Abstract
This
study aimed to conduct a detailed statistical shape analysis of the thorax
across various dog breeds, focusing on the identification and characterization
of shape variations and asymmetrical features. For this purpose, 3D images of 39
thoracic samples were collected from various regions across Türkiye, ensuring a
diverse representation of breeds and populations. In the analysis, 136 specific
anatomical landmarks were meticulously identified and marked from a lateral view
of the thorax for each sample. The study revealed that the first principal
component explained 28.89% of the total variation in directional asymmetry,
suggesting consistent size or shape differences on one side of the thorax.
Additionally, it was found that the first principal component explained 27.82%
of the total variation in fluctuating facet asymmetry occurs if one region is
consistently greater or has a different shape compared to the opposite and
indicates underlying genetic or functional differences. This study highlights
the usefulness of geometric morphometric analysis in distinguishing thoracic
shape differences among various dog breeds, providing insights into their
morphological diversity. Moreover, the findings underscore the potential of
geometric morphometric analysis for taxonomic purposes, enabling more precise
classification and understanding of breed-specific characteristics. This
approach can aid in identifying subtle morphological variations that may be
linked to breed history, function, or environmental adaptation.