Comparative skull morphology between the native cat “colocolo” and the domestic cat, based on samples deposited in scientific collections

In this study we compared the skull morphology between the colocolo cat (Leopardus colocola) and the domestic cat (Felis catus) based on samples deposited in scientific collections. We observed cranial and mandibular differences between both species that can be identified relatively easy to naked eye. These differences were related to the shape of the posterior edge of the palate, the shape of the presphenoid bone, the dental formula and the relative position of mental foramen in the mandible.