Abstract:
Morphometry of the brown tortoise, Manouria emys emys, and the Burmese-black tortoise, Manouria emys phayrei, was studied by measuring 56 characters of the shell. T-test and Discriminant Function Analysis were used to analyse the data. Results show significant differences in 19 characters and the equation for the prediction of subspecies was obtained. By using t-test, Cluster Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis to analyse sexual dimorphism in each subspecies, it was found that male and female of Manouria emys emys differed in 5 characters: 5th verterbral scute length, 5th vertebral scute width, 4th costal scute length, tail length and abdominal scute width. Male and female Manouria emys phayrei were different in 7 characters: 2th costal scute length, 3rd vertebral scute length, anterior lobe length, gular length, tail length, gular width and midline of gular. The equations for the predictions of sexes and subspecies were obtained. Surveys of the distribution of the 2 subspecies in Thailand indicated difference in range. Manouria emys emys was found only in Yala, Narathiwat and Satun Provinces while Manouria emys phayrei distributed in wider areas from the northern region to the western and the southern regions as far as Surat Thani Province.