¹Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Milas Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, TR-48000 Muğla - TÜRKİYE
²Universidad de la República, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, 12300 Montevideo, URUGUAY
³İstanbul Topkapı University, Faculty of Health Science, TR-34310 İstanbul - TÜRKİYE
⁴Ambarlı Neighbourhood, Cumhuriyet Street. 46/A, TR-34310 İstanbul - TÜRKİYE DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2026.36376 Geometric morphometric and fluctuating asymmetry investigations provide robust methodologies for elucidating the living conditions, environmental stressors, and ecological contexts of ancient species using archaeological animal remains. Prior research on Byzantine-era canine skulls discovered at the Theodosius Harbor excavations in Yenikapı, Istanbul, has indicated significant asymmetry in these specimens. This indicates that these dogs were not domesticated companions but rather feral canines (pariahs) contending with severe environmental challenges. This study aims to clarify the demographic composition, namely the sex distribution and sexual dominance, of a largely 'mesocephalic' dog community residing in the urban setting of Byzantine Constantinople. A total of 378 canine skulls from the excavation site were analysed. Sex determination was based on 'basioccipital index' values derived from the length and width measurements of the basioccipital area. The acquired data were subjected to statistical analysis utilizing ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences between sexes in the examined population. Among those with determinable sex, the proportion of females (55.6%) surpassed that of males, signifying female predominance. This discovery verifies that dogs in the Byzantine capital encompassed not only working canines under human supervision but also a free-roaming, interbreeding stray population possessing its own social dynamics. The numerical predominance of females indicates their pivotal role in reproductive strategies, facilitating lineage continuity and population sustainability within the demanding urban ecology. Keywords : Zooarchaeology, Dog, Morphometry, Sex determination, Basioccipital index