Comparing Two Methods of Disparity Analysis of the Anterior Portion of m1 in Gray Voles (Rodentia, Arvicolini) in a Model Sample: Frequency Analysis of Morphotypes and Geometric Morphometrics

An analysis of the disparity of the anterior portion of the m1 shape in gray voles in an artificial sample consisting of five groups with different frequency distributions of five morphotypes was carried out. Two main approaches were applied: (a) traditional analysis of the frequency distribution of discrete morphotypes and (b) geometric morphometrics based on a strictly quantitative description of the shape of anterior portion. It is shown that both approaches give very similar results, while geometric morphometry has a number of important advantages. This approach is recommended as the main one instead of the traditional one.