On the craniological differentiation of Crocidura leucodon and C. suaveolens of the Belorussian fauna species: occipital sutures

Abstract

The shape of sutures between the parietal and occipital bones was analysed in specimens of Crocidura leucodon (n = 22) and C. suaveolens (n = 28) caught in Belarus. In all specimens of C. leucodon, the sutures form subulate invaginations of a depth of ca. 1.0–1.5 mm. Specimens of C. suaveolens do not have such invaginations. We suggest that the revealed morpho-anatomical differences are the result of more active pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system of C. leucodon specimens.