Geometric morphometrics and the analysis of higher taxa: a case study based on the metendosternite of the Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera)

Skull size and shape have been widely used to study domestic animal populations and breeds. Although several techniques have been proposed to quantify cranial form, few attempts have been made to compare the results obtained by different techniques. While linear morphometrics has traditionally been used in breed characterization, recent advances in geometric morphometrics have created new techniques for specifically quantifying shape and size. The objective of this study was to compare two morphometric methods for their ability to describe external morphology. For this purpose, 20 skull specimens of adult male Araucanian horses were examined. Two age categories were established (the “mature group”, M3 not fully erupted to moderately worn, n = 7; and the “senile group”, M3 totally erupted and highly worn, n = 13). Both methods showed that there were statistical differences between generations, but discrimination rates were different between methods with the geometric morphometric analysis obtaining a rate of 97.5%. Although linear morphometrics was found to be compatible with geometric morphometrics, the latter was better able to discriminate the two groups and it also provides more information on shape.

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Using higher taxa as surrogates of species-level data in three Portuguese protected areas: a case study on Spheciformes (Hymenoptera)

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-012-0374-3 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (13) ◽

pp. 3467-3486 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

L. C. Vieira ◽

N. G. Oliveira ◽

C. C. Brewster ◽

S. F. Gayubo

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Species Level ◽

Higher Taxa ◽

Level Data

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Sexual dimorphism in the wing morphology of social vespid wasps – a case study on the genusPolistesLatreille using geometric morphometrics

Zoology in the Middle East ◽

10.1080/09397140.2009.10638350 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 83-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Roohollah Abbasi

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Geometric Morphometrics ◽

Wing Morphology

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Studies on eucrenal-hypocrenal zonation of springs along the river mainstream: A case study of a karst canyon in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Biologia ◽

10.1515/biolog-2016-0095 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 71 (7) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Vladimir Pešić ◽

Dejan Dmitrović ◽

Ana Savić ◽

Stefanie von Fumetti

Keyword(s):

Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Balkan Peninsula ◽

High Order ◽

Macroinvertebrate Assemblages ◽

Strong Trend ◽

Higher Taxa ◽

Abundant Taxon ◽

One Year

AbstractThe canyons in Dinaric karst are known to harbour a diverse aquatic fauna living in springs along the river mainstream. However, the knowledge on the ecology of these springs and also on the springs in mountainous areas of the Balkan Peninsula in general is poor. This study is focused on the macroinvertebrate assemblages of three different types of springs along the Cvrcka River (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The aim of this study was to check whether existing criteria for regional spring zonations in Central Europe are applicable also for riparian springs with short springbrooks bordering high order streams. The macroinvertebrates were collected seasonally for one year at two different distances from the source: at the source, and approximately 2–3 m from the source (“springbrook”). At the spring sources, we found 59 species and higher taxa while in the springbrooks 61 species and higher taxa were recorded. Diptera represented the most abundant taxon, followed by Amphipoda and Trichoptera. No strong trend for the Margalef’s index for the spring source and springbrook was detected, while the Shannon’s diversity index increased in the springbrook of the studied springs. Our analysis did not prove significant differences between the macroinvertebrate assemblages from the source and springbrook. Based on faunistic data we suggest that small riparian springs with a short outflow likely do not exhibit true spring zonation but may show a “quasi-zonation” defined as a possible hidden differentiation between spring source and springbrook. Our study shows that criteria for spring zonation are not suitable for riparian springs bordering high order streams.

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