title: Cranial morphology in the brachygnathic sheep.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Craniofacial morphology of sheep with phenotypically observed mandibular distocclusion was analysed using the multivariate techniques principle component analysis and cluster analysis in order to test whether different types of craniofacial malformations can be distinguished.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed 8 principal components with a variance of 82.72% in the database. The method creates new variables then used in the Cluster analysis indicating 7 clusters with 3 different facial types: Normal, prognathia inferior and brachygnathia inferior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The brachygnathic facial type was mainly characterised as a shortened mandible, the upper jaw is not significantly involved. The correlations to the temporomandibular joint were shown. Molar and premolar malocclusions were revealed in two of three Clusters. Phenotypical distocclusion was not a single criterion for the affected sheep.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173, Hannover, Germany. tina.stender@tiho-hannover.de.|Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, D-30559, Hannover, Germany. tina.stender@tiho-hannover.de.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173, Hannover, Germany. martin.ganter@tiho-hannover.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganter
authors.affiliation: Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, D-30559, Hannover, Germany. ottmar.distl@tiho-hannover.de.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Distl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173, Hannover, Germany. carsten.staszyk@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.|Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 98, D-35392, Giessen, Germany. carsten.staszyk@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staszyk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D057887:Overbite / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging