A three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis of variation in cranial size and shape in tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) populations

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Hadley ◽  
Nick Milne ◽  
Lincoln H. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Geographic Separation ◽  
Analysis Of Variation

This study uses geometric morphometric techniques to examine cranial size and shape variation in nine isolated populations of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). A set of 36 three-dimensional landmarks were digitised on 143 tammar crania from two mainland and seven island populations. While there was no evidence of island dwarfism or gigantism, cranial size increased with both increasing island size and increasing latitude. As latitude increased, the palate narrowed relative to the nasal bones, cranial flexion and nasal height increased, and the zygomatic arches spread out laterally from the cranium. Overall, the anterior nasal aperture (nares) narrowed with increasing latitude. Mean shapes were calculated for each population, and pair-wise comparisons were made; most of these were significantly different. There was a clear tendency for island populations and those with greater geographic separation to show greater shape differentiation. Thus, regional and population differences in the cranial size and shape of tammar wallabies provide examples of selection, founder effect and random genetic drift.

scholarly journals A developmentally descriptive method for quantifying shape in gastropod shells

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (163) ◽  
pp. 20190721
Author(s):  
J. Larsson ◽  
A. M. Westram ◽  
S. Bengmark ◽  
T. Lundh ◽  
R. K. Butlin
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Littorina Saxatilis ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Gastropod Shell ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Descriptive Method

The growth of snail shells can be described by simple mathematical rules. Variation in a few parameters can explain much of the diversity of shell shapes seen in nature. However, empirical studies of gastropod shell shape variation typically use geometric morphometric approaches, which do not capture this growth pattern. We have developed a way to infer a set of developmentally descriptive shape parameters based on three-dimensional logarithmic helicospiral growth and using landmarks from two-dimensional shell images as input. We demonstrate the utility of this approach, and compare it to the geometric morphometric approach, using a large set of Littorina saxatilis shells in which locally adapted populations differ in shape. Our method can be modified easily to make it applicable to a wide range of shell forms, which would allow for investigations of the similarities and differences between and within many different species of gastropods.

The Cheilosia canicularis group (Diptera: Syrphidae): species delimitation and evolutionary relationships based on wing geometric morphometrics

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1825 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
JASMINA LUDOŠKI ◽  
LJUBINKA FRANCUSKI ◽  
ANTE VUJIĆ ◽  
VESNA MILANKOV
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Data ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Wing Shape ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Wing Size ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Mahalanobis Distances ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Upgma Cluster Analysis

A landmark-based geometric morphometric approach was used to assess differences in the size and shape of wing among/within three species of the Cheilosia canicularis group (Diptera: Syrphidae): C. canicularis, C. himantopus and C. orthotricha. Wing size and shape variation was observed from 25, 176 and 41 specimens of C. canicularis, C. himantopus and C. orthotricha, respectively, collected from six localities on the Balkan Peninsula. Significant differences in wing size were obtained among the analysed species and canonical variate analysis showed that wing shape was sufficiently different to allow the correct classification of 73% individuals of C. canicularis, 80% of C. orthotricha and 94% of C. himantopus, and clear delimitation of the species pairs C. canicularis/C. orthotricha and C. himantopus/C. orthotricha. In all analysed species, the consistent sex dimorphism in wing shape was observed indicating that female specimens had shorter and broader wings than males. The UPGMA cluster analysis based on squared Mahalanobis distances revealed close accordance with previously published phylogenetic relationships of these species indicated by allozyme and DNA sequence data analysis. Our results suggested that wing parameters contain useful information in quantification phenotypic variation and identification of species in this challenging group for taxonomy and systematics.

Averaging v. outlier removal. Decrypting variance among cryptic Lejeunea species (Lejeuneaceae: Jungermanniopsida) using geometric morphometrics

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt A. M. Renner ◽  
Elizabeth A. Brown ◽  
Glenda M. Wardle
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Species Difference ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Outlier Removal ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Developmental Capacity

Molecular data have revealed many morphologically cryptic species. More surprising than lack of difference, however, is that morphological variation and complex patterns of overlapping features can mask cryptic species. We employ geometric morphometric methods (GMM) to explore patterns of variation within four liverwort species, three of which were previously attributed to Lejeunea tumida Mitt. Each species exhibited considerable variation within, and overlap among, species in size and shape, independent of degree of relatedness. Most variation was expressed within individuals, suggesting that the observed breadth of variation was within the developmental capacity of single genotypes. Size and shape variation within, and consequently overlap among, individuals resulted primarily from variance in growth of shoots. Inter-specific differences were swamped by intra- and inter-individual variation. We coupled GMM with multivariate methods for outlier removal, and simple averaging of individuals to explore whether intra-individual variation could be reconciled to maximise the inter-species difference, facilitating resolution of cryptic species despite extensive morphological continuity and overlap. Unfortunately, outlier removal did not achieve separation among species, because removing extremes failed to eliminate overlap resulting from within-species variation. Individual averaging was partially successful in extracting L. tumida as a discrete entity but did not segregate the remaining three species. Although the challenges for morphology-based identification of cryptic species are significant, GMM provide one of the best sets of methods for identifying and communicating any subtle morphological differences that may exist.

scholarly journals Phylogeny and adaptation shape the teeth of insular mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1824) ◽  
pp. 20152820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronan Ledevin ◽  
Pascale Chevret ◽  
Guila Ganem ◽  
Janice Britton-Davidian ◽  
Emilie A. Hardouin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Competition Level ◽  
History Of

By accompanying human travels since prehistorical times, the house mouse dispersed widely throughout the world, and colonized many islands. The origin of the travellers determined the phylogenetic source of the insular mice, which encountered diverse ecological and environmental conditions on the various islands. Insular mice are thus an exceptional model to disentangle the relative role of phylogeny, ecology and climate in evolution. Molar shape is known to vary according to phylogeny and to respond to adaptation. Using for the first time a three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach, compared with a classical two-dimensional quantification, the relative effects of size variation, phylogeny, climate and ecology were investigated on molar shape diversity across a variety of islands. Phylogeny emerged as the factor of prime importance in shaping the molar. Changes in competition level, mostly driven by the presence or absence of the wood mouse on the different islands, appeared as the second most important effect. Climate and size differences accounted for slight shape variation. This evidences a balanced role of random differentiation related to history of colonization, and of adaptation possibly related to resource exploitation.

scholarly journals Subspecies and sexual craniofacial size and shape variations in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wataru Yano ◽  
Naoko Egi ◽  
Tomo Takano ◽  
Naomichi Ogihara
Keyword(s):  
Macaca Fuscata ◽  
Japanese Macaque ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Shape Space ◽  
Size Difference ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Temporal Fossa ◽  
Size And Shape

AbstractIn order to investigate craniofacial size and three-dimensional shape variations independently in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) we used a geometric morphometries technique. A total of 55 specimens were CT scanned to generate a three-dimensional model of each cranium, and 57 landmarks were digitized to analyze the craniofacial shape variation in the Japanese macaque. The results showed that four intra-specific groups, consisting of two subspecies and the two sexes, differed in both size and shape space. In size, the cranium of the Macaca fuscata yakui (MFY) was smaller than that of Macaca fuscata fuscata (MFF) in both sexes, and female crania were smaller than male crania in both subspecies. Shape sexual dimorphisms in both subspecies were detected in the first axis of principal component analysis and were related to a relatively broad orbit, smaller neurocranium, enlarged snout, and broader temporal fossa in males. The shape differences between subspecies showed different features than those between sexes. Male subspecies shape differences were detected in the first and third axes, while those for females were in the first and second axes. Subspecies shape differences common to both sexes were a narrower orbit, relatively small neurocranium, longer snout, and postorbital constriction in MFY. Male MFY was specifically characterized by a more anterior and superior direction of snout protrusion. In contrast, female MFY showed an inferior direction of snout protrusion. Female MFY also had a taller orbit. With regard to the relationship between size and shape differences, shape sexual dimorphism for each subspecies was positively associated with size difference, but there was no such association between subspecies in either sex. Size does not seem to play an important role in subspeciation of Macaca fuscata.

scholarly journals Initial Investigations of the Cranial Size and Shape of Adult Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Great Britain

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Damian J. J. Farnell ◽  
Chern Khor ◽  
Wayne Nishio Ayre ◽  
Zoe Doyle ◽  
Elizabeth A. Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Distance Measurements ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
3D Surface ◽  
Shape Data

Three-dimensional (3D) surface scans were carried out in order to determine the shapes of the upper sections of (skeletal) crania of adult Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) from Great Britain. Landmark points were placed on these shapes using a graphical user interface (GUI) and distance measurements (i.e., the length, height, and width of the crania) were found by using the landmark points. Male otters had significantly larger skulls than females (P < 0.001). Differences in size also occurred by geographical area in Great Britain (P < 0.05). Multilevel Principal Components Analysis (mPCA) indicated that sex and geographical area explained 31.1% and 9.6% of shape variation in “unscaled” shape data and that they explained 17.2% and 9.7% of variation in “scaled” data. The first mode of variation at level 1 (sex) correctly reflected size changes between males and females for “unscaled” shape data. Modes at level 2 (geographical area) also showed possible changes in size and shape. Clustering by sex and geographical area was observed in standardized component scores. Such clustering in a cranial shape by geographical area might reflect genetic differences in otter populations in Great Britain, although other potentially confounding factors (e.g., population age-structure, diet, etc.) might also drive regional differences. This work provides a successful first test of the effectiveness of 3D surface scans and multivariate methods, such as mPCA, to study the cranial morphology of otters.

scholarly journals Cranial integration in the ring-necked parakeet, Psittacula krameri (Psittaciformes: Psittaculidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Matthew J Mitchell ◽  
Anjali Goswami ◽  
Ryan N Felice
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Beak Shape ◽  
Native Populations ◽  
Parrot Species

Abstract The study of integration and modularity aims to describe the organization of components that make up organisms, and the evolutionary, developmental and functional relationships among them. Both have been studied at the interspecific (evolutionary) and intraspecific (phenotypic and ontogenetic) levels to different degrees across various clades. Although evolutionary modularity and integration are well-characterized across birds, knowledge of intraspecific patterns is lacking. Here, we use a high-density, three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach to investigate patterns of integration and modularity in Psittacula krameri, a highly successful invasive parrot species that exhibits the derived vertical palate and cranio-facial hinge of the Psittaciformes. Showing a pattern of nine distinct cranial modules, our results support findings from recent research that uses similar methods to investigate interspecific integration in birds. Allometry is not a significant influence on cranial shape variation within this species; however, within-module integration is significantly negatively correlated with disparity, with high variation concentrated in the weakly integrated rostrum, palate and vault modules. As previous studies have demonstrated differences in beak shape between invasive and native populations, variation in the weakly integrated palate and rostrum may have facilitated evolutionary change in these parts of the skull, contributing to the ring-necked parakeet’s success as an invasive species.

Cranial size and shape variation in isolated populations of the Olkhon mountain vole ( Alticola olchonensis Litvinov, 1960)

Zoology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey A. Abramov ◽  
Natalya V. Lopatina ◽  
Yuri N. Litvinov
Keyword(s):  
Shape Variation ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Size And Shape

scholarly journals Sexual Dimorphism and Morphological Modularity in Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say, 1831) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): A Geometric Morphometric Approach

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Sanja Budečević ◽  
Uroš Savković ◽  
Mirko Đorđević ◽  
Lea Vlajnić ◽  
Biljana Stojković
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Stabilizing Selection ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Acanthoscelides Obtectus ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say ◽  
Functional Hypothesis

Sexual dimorphism and specific patterns of development contribute in a great manner to the direction and degree of the sexual differences in body size and shape in many insects. Using a landmark-based geometric morpohometrics approach, we investigated sex-specific morphological size and shape variation in the seed beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus. We also tested the functional hypothesis of the two morphological modules—thorax and abdomen in both sexes. Female-biased sexual dimorphism in size was shown, while differences in shape were reflected in the wider thorax and abdomen and shorter abdomen in females in comparison to males. The functional hypothesis of a two-module body was confirmed only in females before correction for size, and in both sexes after the allometry correction. Our results indicate that reproductive function has the central role in forming the patterns of modularity. We hypothesize that high morphological integration of the abdomen in females results from intense stabilizing selection, while the more relaxed integration in males is driven by the higher intensity of sexual selection.

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