Morphological peculiarities as indicators of natural history of sable (Martes zibellina) in North-Asia Pacific coast

Research on sable (Martes zibellina) populations across the North Asia Pacific coast reveals distinct morphological patterns linked to natural history. Sables from Central Sikhote-Alin exhibit the smallest cranial size and highest phene expression, while those near the Uda River and Goryun/Amgun rivers display the darkest fur coloration. A trend of increasing skull size, reduced cranial phene, and lighter fur intensity is observed as populations move away from these core areas. Insular populations, such as those on Bolshoi Shantar, Iturup, and Hokkaido islands, show minimal FFCI expression but larger skull sizes, with Kamchatka sables notably exhibiting the largest cranial dimensions. The study suggests that the lower Amur Basin served as a postglacial dispersal source for sable across Eurasia, aligning with Bergmann’s rule. This work provides baseline data on morphological diversification, offering insights into sable phylogeny and adaptive traits.

Monakhov, V. G. (2016). Morphological peculiarities as indicators of natural history of sable (Martes zibellina) in North-Asia Pacific coast. Russian Journal of Ecology, 47(5), 493–500. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1067413616050088