Principal Components Analysis plot: an example

    Variation in five measures of skull shape among 17 species in six families of terrestial carnivores. On Axis I, note the distribution of the three canid (dog) species (C) at the extreme right, and of the three felid (cat) species (F) at the extreme left. [Other codes: M = Mustelidae (weasels), P = Procyonidae (raccoons), U = Ursidae (bears), V = Viverridae (mongooses and civets). The first PCA component distinguishes short-faced animals with inflated crania [Cats] from long-faced animals with compact crania [Dogs].


Text material © 2005 by Steven M. Carr