ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[peter]

BETTY

Thanks again. Assuming that the translation is correct, the condylobasal length of the Hamamatsu zoo skull is 380 mm. As the difference between the condylobasal length and the greatest total length in skulls of adult male tigers of large subspecies ranges between 40-55 mm., the greatest total length of the Hamamatsu zoo skull has to be at least 420 mm. This means that the skull compares to the Koln zoo tiger for length. 

The question is if this conclusion is correct. The photographs say no. 

Assuming that the zygomatic width of the Koln zoo tiger really is about 284 mm., the greatest total length has to be close to 430 mm., if not more. The reason is that the relation between greatest length and width is 1,52. 

In the Hamamatsu zoo tiger skull, assumptions are not needed. The reason is we know that the zygomatic width of the skull is 284 mm. The relation between greatest total length and greatest width, however, isn't 1,52 (as in the Koln zoo tiger), but 1,34-1,35. This means that the greatest total length has to be 380-383 mm.

Agreed?

I could have missed a few things. In order to find out if I did, you have to print both photographs. Measure the width and the greatest length of both skulls and tell me what I missed.

Here's the photograph of the Koln zoo tiger:

*This image is copyright of its original author

And here's the photograph of the Hamamatsu zoo tiger:

*This image is copyright of its original author

 
It will take a bit of time, but the outcome is of interest. Thanks in advance. Reply