Analysis of Merycoidodon skulls

Abstract

Statistical analyses have been made of 12 linear measurements taken from 155 specimens of Merycoidodon skulls. Studies of relative and absolute variation indicate that the species are relatively homogeneous assemblages. Relative growth and variation analyses suggest that the major differences in skull form between species are functions of size. Evolution within the genus may have occurred mainly by mutations for increase in size and secondarily by mutations of relative growth rates.