Cranial variation of Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae) across the Palaearctic: taxonomic and management implications
Russo L.F. Lanzetti A. Meloro C. Portela Miguez R. Oleynikov A. Goswami A. Loy A.
1 December 2025Oxford University Press
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
2025#205Issue 4
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) exhibits the widest range among the Lutrinae, encompassing 11 extant subspecies across Eurasia and North Africa. However, recent mitochondrial DNA analyses have revealed distinct lineages that do not correspond to current subspecies classifications. To evaluate the degree of morphological divergence and identify populations potentially representing evolutionarily significant units, we used three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to examine 207 crania sampled across the species range. We digitized 30 anatomical landmarks along with nine curves using sliding semi-landmarks on three-dimensional models of crania. The morphometric analysis demonstrated significant differences in cranial size and shape between sexes and subspecies. Specifically, L. l. nair exhibited the most divergent cranial morphology and should be recognized as an evolutionarily significant unit. The Asian subspecies L. l. chinensis, L. l. barang, and L. l. nair displayed morphological affinities and were characterized by diverging traits from the nominal subspecies. Of the three subspecies described for the Transhimalaya, only L. l. aurobrunnea was clearly distinct from L. l. lutra. These patterns are likely to reflect evolutionary responses to ecological adaptation and geographical isolation, highlighting the need to explore the genetic structure of the Eurasian otter and reassess subspecies boundaries.
Eurasian otter , evolutionary significant unit , geometric morphometrics , Lutra lutra , Mustelidae , skull , subspecies
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Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin, Rome, 00185, Italy
EnvixLab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, Isernia, Pesche, 86090, Italy
Science Division, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Theriology Laboratory, Institute of Zoology, Almaty, 050060, Kazakhstan
Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, WC1E 6DE, United Kingdom
IUCN Species Survival Commission, Otter Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
Sapienza University of Rome
EnvixLab
Science Division
Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology
Theriology Laboratory
Division of Biosciences
IUCN Species Survival Commission
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