Discrete Sexual Dimorphism in Minorcan Horse

Abstract

In this research, the authors studied sexual dimorphism in the Minorcan horse, an autochthonous breed from Minorca Island in the Balearic archipelago (NW Mediterranean Sea). For this purpose, a twodimensional geometric morphometric approach was applied to 52 pictures of adult animals (24 males and 28 females) in their left lateral view. Fourteen landmarks were chosen to provide an adequate coverage of the body. Certain differences between sexes appeared, mainly on dorsal neck conformation and distal part of extremities, males being much more uniform. Surprisingly, withers height was not discriminatory between genders.