A standardized osteometric method for identifying Iberian raptors from skeletal remains

IF 2.1 3区农林科学 Q1 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Research in veterinary science Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-23 DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2026.106121

Andrea Miguel-Batuecas , Juan A. De Pablo-Moreno , Manuel Fuertes-Recuero , Ariana Fuentes-Díaz , Fernando González , Laura Suárez , Victoriano García-Matarranz , Luis Revuelta

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Raptors suffer high mortality rates due to anthropogenic threats, such as electrocution from power lines or lead poisoning, so the specific identification of skeletal remains is essential for establishing monitoring and protection programmes.

This study developed and validated a standardized osteometric method for measuring long bones and craniopelvic bones from skeletal remains to identify raptor species. A database of 26 species of Iberian raptors (n = 853) was developed based on 11 measurements of 9 bones, including the ulna, sternum, femur, humerus, tarsometatarsus, tibiotarsus, and radius, as well as the synsacrum length and postacetabular ilium width and length and width of the skull. Missing values were estimated using multiple linear regression, and canonical discriminant analysis was applied to correct and modify the databases. Cross-validation was added to this analysis. Additionally, the obtained model was verified using external radiographs.

The highest percentage of success was obtained with the tarsometatarsus-ulna combination (94.53%), followed by tarsometatarsus-radius (94.05%) and tarsometatarsus-humerus (93.02%), when two bone lengths were combined. When a third measurement was incorporated, the tarsometatarsus-ulna-femur combination achieved a 99.45% correct classification rate. In blind verification testing, the radiographs of 15 individuals, the tarsometatarsus-ulna model correctly classified all samples, achieving a 100% success rate. These results show that the study method provides a simple and replicable protocol for identifying raptor species from incomplete skeletal remains. This optimizes the monitoring of mortality and supporting conservation measures.

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从骨骼遗骸中识别伊比利亚猛禽的标准化骨测量方法。

迅猛龙由于受到人为威胁，如电力线触电或铅中毒，死亡率很高，因此骨骼遗骸的具体鉴定对于建立监测和保护计划至关重要。本研究开发并验证了一种标准化的骨测量方法，用于测量骨骼遗骸中的长骨和颅盂骨，以识别猛禽的种类。研究人员对26种伊比利亚猛禽（n = 853）的9块骨头进行了11次测量，包括尺骨、胸骨、股骨、肱骨、跗跖骨、胫跖骨和桡骨，以及骶骨联合长度、髋臼后髂骨宽度和颅骨的长度和宽度。采用多元线性回归估计缺失值，并采用典型判别分析对数据库进行校正和修改。交叉验证被添加到这个分析中。此外，使用外部x线片验证了所获得的模型。当两种骨长度结合时，跗跖骨-尺骨的成功率最高（94.53%），其次是跗跖骨-桡骨（94.05%）和跗跖骨-肱骨（93.02%）。当结合第三次测量时，跗跖骨-尺骨-股骨组合的正确分类率达到99.45%。在盲验证测试中，15个人的x线片，跗跖骨-尺骨模型正确分类了所有样本，成功率达到100%。这些结果表明，该研究方法为从不完整的骨骼遗骸中识别猛禽种类提供了一种简单且可复制的方案。这优化了对死亡率的监测和支持保护措施。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Research in veterinary science 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

4.20%

发文量

312

审稿时长

75 days

期刊介绍： Research in Veterinary Science is an International multi-disciplinary journal publishing original articles, reviews and short communications of a high scientific and ethical standard in all aspects of veterinary and biomedical research. The primary aim of the journal is to inform veterinary and biomedical scientists of significant advances in veterinary and related research through prompt publication and dissemination. Secondly, the journal aims to provide a general multi-disciplinary forum for discussion and debate of news and issues concerning veterinary science. Thirdly, to promote the dissemination of knowledge to a broader range of professions, globally. High quality papers on all species of animals are considered, particularly those considered to be of high scientific importance and originality, and with interdisciplinary interest. The journal encourages papers providing results that have clear implications for understanding disease pathogenesis and for the development of control measures or treatments, as well as those dealing with a comparative biomedical approach, which represents a substantial improvement to animal and human health. Studies without a robust scientific hypothesis or that are preliminary, or of weak originality, as well as negative results, are not appropriate for the journal. Furthermore, observational approaches, case studies or field reports lacking an advancement in general knowledge do not fall within the scope of the journal.