Discriminating the Sex of Laughing Gulls by Linear Measurements
Publication Date
1993
Journal or Book Title
Journal Of Field Ornithology
Abstract
Discriminant function analysis (DFA) has been used to sex many gull species. DFA has been used to determine the sex of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) from Florida using three measurements. The function derived from the Florida population misidentified 40% of Laughing Gulls from a New York population. Laughing Gulls from New York were significantly smaller than those from Florida (P -< 0.004). A new discriminant function, based on bill, total body and wing lengths, that correctly classified the sex of 92% of gulls collected in New York was derived. These findings support past studies that suggest a discriminant function derived for one population cannot be applied with confidence to a different population of the same species.
Volume
64
Issue
4
Pages
472-476
Recommended Citation
EVANS, DR; HOOPES, EM; and Griffin, CR, "Discriminating the Sex of Laughing Gulls by Linear Measurements" (1993). Journal Of Field Ornithology. 161.
Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nrc_faculty_pubs/161