Are Tigers 'Brainier' Than Lions?

[peter]

(10-14-2015, 12:00 AM)GrizzlyClaws Wrote: He claims these two skulls, Amur and Bengal respectively, measure about 40 cm.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

On my screen, the Amur skull is three units longer, whereas the Bengal skull is almost three wider. The rostrum is wider and the upper canines are more massive in the skull of the Amur tiger. Sagittal crest straight and maxillary bone longer and a bit flatter. If the Amur skull really is close to 16 inches in greatest total length, the Bengal skull is close to 15. 

The main differences between the Amur and the lion skull is in the shape of the mandibula (straight with the tip slightly downward in the tiger and a bit convex with the tip upward in the lion), the rostrum (wider and more massive in the tiger), the upper canines (longer and more massive in the tiger), and the pm4 (longer in the lion). Profile of the lion flatter and, most probably (I didn't see the skull from above), a bit more robust in the center. The lion skull seems to be a bit longer (maxillary bone more extended). Same for the mandibula.

Tiger skulls of this size are not in museums. Those who measure skulls know about private collectors. They also know many museums have not been visited by biologists. If they, in spite of that, maintain that the longest lion skulls are about 40,00 mm. longer than the longest tiger skulls, the conclusion is they are misinforming the public.

Good find, Grizzly. See if you can find more. Reply