scholarly journals Morphological variability of Bembidion varium (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in gradient of soil salinity

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoriia Komlyk ◽  
Viktor Brygadyrenko
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Soil Salinity ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Maximum Width ◽  
Angular Characteristic ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Natural And Anthropogenic Factors

AbstractThis article discusses the effect of soil salinity on the variability of Bembidion (Notaphus) varium (Oliver, 1795). The authors of the article collected imagoes of this species in five ecosystems that differed in soil salinity; 13 linear characteristics, one angular characteristic and 6 morphometric indices were measured. Significant changes in six linear parameters of B. varium (body length, head length and width, width of prothorax between front angles, maximum width of prothorax and elytra width) and two morphometric indices are observed in the considered ecosystems. Soil salinity probably has the most impact on the variability of these characteristics. However, the influence of other important natural and anthropogenic factors is not ruled out. Significant differences between the sexes are observed for all linear parameters: females of B. varium are larger than males. There are no differences between males and females in morphometric indices. The head width, prothorax length and width, elytra length and width depend on the body length of B. varium individuals. The morphological variability of B. varium under the influence of other environmental factors needs further research.

scholarly journals Morphological variability of Bembidion aspericolle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) populations in conditions of anthropogenic impact

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
V. O. Komlyk ◽  
V. V. Brygadyrenko
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Angular Characteristic ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
The Impact

Bembidion (Talanes) aspericolle (Germar, 1829) is a Western Palearctic species which lives on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas and saline inland habitats from Central Europe to Central Asia. Anthropogenic impact is one of the most important environmental factors affecting the morphological variability of ground beetles. The objective of our research is assessment of the morphological variability of this species in three ecosystems differing by intensity of anthropogenic impact. 13 linear characteristics, one angular characteristic, density of pores on the prothorax and elytra, contrast of spots on the beetles’ elytra were measured, and 6 morphometric indices were calculated. The mean value of body length in females is more than in males in the studied populations. In the ecosystem with high anthropogenic pressure, female body length is shorter by 3.7% and elytra length is shorter by 6.0% than in females in the ecosystem with low anthropogenic impact. Differences between populations in the body length of males are not significant. In the ecosystem with high anthropogenic transformation, sexual dimorphism is observed only on head and prothorax width. The ratio of maximum width of elytra to maximum prothorax width decreases significantly with increasing anthropogenic load. The impact of anthropogenic factors on the ecosystem produces significant changes in elytra length and head width of B. aspericolle and in four of the six morphometric indices. It is reasonable to use these morphometric characteristics of B. aspericolle adults in bioindication. The complex of anthropogenic factors does not have a significant impact on the value of anterior and posterior angles of prothorax, density of prothorax and elytra puncturing and contrast of the light spots at the top of the elytra. The sex of the specimen influences all linear characteristics. The absence of significant differences in morphometric indices between males and females shows that the body proportions of the beetles remain unchanged and only linear dimensions vary. Research on the morphological variability of B. aspericolle is important for understanding microevolutionary processes in populations of beetles under anthropogenically induced changes in the environment.

scholarly journals Morphological variability of Bembidion minimum (Coleoptera, Carabidae) populations under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-269
Author(s):  
V. O. Komlyk ◽  
V. V. Brygadyrenko
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Angular Characteristic ◽  
Natural And Anthropogenic Factors

Morphological variability is the result of interaction between genetic diversity of the population and environmental selection. Despite the large number of studies of morphological variability of ground beetles, there is very little research dedicated to influence of environmental factors on it. This article discusses the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the variability of Bembidion minimum (Fabricius, 1792). B. minimum is a West Palearctic species which is distributed in North Africa, Europe, Western Asia. It is a macropterous species that lives in humid biotopes along the shores of seas, rivers and standing water bodies. 410 specimens were collected from 12 ecosystems differing by plant cover, degree of litter development, mechanical composition of the soil, mineralization and acidity of soil solution, type and intensity of anthropogenic impact. 13 linear characteristics, one angular characteristic, density of elytra puncturing and contrast of spots on the beetles’ elytra were measured. Additionally 6 morphometric indices were calculated. More than a third of the variability of imagoes in the studied populations was found to be determined by the general body size. Sexual dimorphism was observed on all linear parameters and most morphometric indices. Females do not differ from males in the back angles of the prothorax. Natural and anthropogenic factors to a greater or lesser degree were shown to affect the morphological variability of B. minimum: soil acidity and mineralization have the greatest impact. The soil acidity causes significant variability of most linear parameters; mineralization – body length, head length, prothorax length and width, elytra width. Plant cover and mechanical composition of the soil have a slight impact on imago morphology. The type and structure of vegetation significantly affect head width, prothorax length and width, and the mechanical composition of the soil – body length and head length. Degree of litter development does not cause significant changes in the linear dimensions of beetles. With thickening of the litter the posterior spots on the elytra become brighter, they have sharper contours, and density of elytra puncturing also changes. The mean value of the back angles is affected by the herb layer of meadow vegetation, soil mineralization and acidity. The variability of morphometric indexes under the influence of natural factors was found to be lower than variability of linear characteristics. The recreational load and cattle grazing cause similar changes in linear measurements and morphometric indexes of B. minimum. With escalation of these factors, the body length, length and width of elytra of both females and males decrease. Assessing the natural morphological variability of populations in ecosystems whose environmental factors are within extreme and sub-extreme values for a given population is a promising direction of research in modern ecology.

scholarly journals The Effects of Locality and Host Plant on the Body Size of Aeolothrips intermedius (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) in the Southwest of Poland

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gruss ◽  
Twardowski ◽  
Cierpisz
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Morphometric Features ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Almost All

Aeolothrips intermedius is a thrips predator often found in phytocoenoses worldwide. Both the adults and larvae of this species prey on small invertebrates, including phytophagous species from Thysanoptera group. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological variability of the A. intermedius relative to the locality and, indirectly, to the species of host plant. Insects were collected from five localities in southwest Poland and five different host plants. For each of the sexes, six morphometric features were assessed: body length, length of antennae, wing length, head length, head width and length of pronotum. Additionally, the body mass for each individual was estimated. The findings revealed that in females, both the locality and host plant had a significant impact on almost all of these features. In males, the morphometric features under study correlated strongly with locality and only moderately with the host plant. Certain differences were observed between males and females, mainly in terms of antennae length. The results show that A. intermedius exhibits significant variability in this respect, which is indicative of the species’ phenotypic plasticity. The body length was the trait with the most distinct response to the locality and host plant.

scholarly journals A multivariate study of variation in two species of rock crab of the genus Leptograpsus

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
NA Campbell ◽  
RJ Mahon
Keyword(s):  
Carapace Length ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
The Body ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Multivariate Approach ◽  
Maximum Width ◽  
Multivariate Study ◽  
Rock Crab ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Colour Form

A multivariate approach has been used to study morphological variation in the blue and orange-form species of rock crab of the genus Leptograpsus. Objective criteria for the identification of the two species are established, based on the following characters: width of the frontal region of the carapace; width of the posterior region of the carapace (rear width); length of the carapace along the midline; maximum width of the carapace; and the depth of the body. The first canonical variate, which differentiates between the two species, represents a contrast between the carapace width relative to the width of the front lip and the depth of the body; the blue-form species has a greater relative carapace width than has the orange form. The second canonical variate, which presents a contrast between the rear width and the carapace length, identifies males and females within each species; males have a greater relative carapace length than have females. All individuals, including 20 not used in the study, were correctly identified for colour form. The clear separation of the blue and orange forms achieved by canonical analysis supports the previously determined specific status of the two forms.

Prediction of body weights of Nellore sheep under field condition

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rani ◽  
B. Ekambaram ◽  
B. Punya Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Chest Girth ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Nellore Sheep

Data on 1350 Nellore sheep of 2, 4, 6 and 8-teeth age, reared under field conditions in 12 mandals of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh were utilized for development of prediction equations and study the phenotypic association among body measurements and body weights. The coefficients of correlation between body weight with the height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, hip width and body length were positive and high in magnitude in both males and females in majority of the age groups studied. Step-down regression equations were fitted to predict the body weight based on biometrical measurements at different ages. The height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, hip width and body length have contributed significantly to the expression of body weights at the majority of the ages studied. High coefficient of determination (R2) value was observed in males at 6 and 8-teeth age as 88 per cent, while in females 50 per cent at 2-teeth age.

scholarly journals Investigations of Variability of Morphometric Characteristics in Stone Crayfish in Order to Preserve Autochthonous Genome

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajko Roljić ◽  
Vera Nikolić ◽  
Nebojša Savić
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Carapace Length ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Austropotamobius Torrentium ◽  
Stone Crayfish

This paper presents the information about morphological variability and sexual dimorphism of the stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in the area of Korana River in Mrkonjic Grad. The crayfish were caught by hand made baited traps from October 2018 to May 2019. A total of 46 crayfish were caught, of which 33 males and 13 females. The dimensions of eight morphometric characteristics: body weight (W), body length (TBL), rostrum length (ROL), rostrum width (ROW), claw length (CLL), carapace length (CPL), carapace width (CPW) and abdomen length (ABL), were analyzed, both in males and females. Also, the body condition was determined for all individuales. The measurements results of morphometric characteristics partially matched into the alredy known range of variations. These data presens first ones for the observed area. By using Mann-Whitey U-test, it was noted that there are significant differences between the sexes for W, TBL, CLL, CPL, CPW and ABL. These resuls could be explained by sexual dimorphism of the stone crayfish.

scholarly journals MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF NOBLE CRAYFISH Astacus astacus FROM THE BALKANA LAKE

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajko Roljić ◽  
Vera Nikolić ◽  
Nebojša Savić
Keyword(s):  
Carapace Width ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sex Dimorphism ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Astacus Astacus ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Noble Crayfish ◽  
Cephalothorax Length ◽  
Males And Females

This paper presents the information about morphological variability and sex dimorphism of the Noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) in the area of the Balkana Lake in Mrkonjic Grad. The crayfish were caught by hand made baited traps from October 9nd 2018. until May 31th 2019. A total of 58 crayfish were caught, of which 38 males and 20 females. The eight morphometric characteristics: body weight (W), body length (TBL), claw length (CLL), cephalothorax length (CFL), carapace width (CPW), abdomen length (ABL), rostrum length (ROL) and rostrum width (ROW) were measured, both in males and females. Also, the body condition was determined for all specimens. The results of morphometric characteristics partially matched into the already known range of variations. These data represent first ones for the observed area. The t-test showed that there were significant differences between the sexes in W, TBL, CLL, CFL and CPW which are explained by the emphasized sex dimorphism of the noble crayfish.

scholarly journals Measures of relationships and association among body weight and biometric traits of donkeys in Northwest Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
P. A. John ◽  
A. O. Iyiola-Tunji
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Neck Circumference ◽  
The Body ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Predicted Body Weight

Body linear measurements of different age categories of donkeys were used to predict the body weight of donkeys using stepwise regression procedure. This work was conducted to estimates the live body weight of donkeys from biometric traits. A total of 700 donkeys were measured into three age groups (weaners 6 months- 1 year, young above 1- 3 years and adults 3 years and above). Morphometric measures taken were body weight, head length, head width, ear length, neck length, neck circumference, shoulder width, height at withers, heart girth, body length and tail length using random sampling technique. Significant variations were observed in morphometric (P<0.05, P<0.01) traits. The results of the study showed that significantly (P<0.01) predicted body weight of these donkeys with good efficiencies were neck circumference (NC), tail length (TL) and body length (BL) were the best predictors of body weight with R2= 100% in weaners, head width (HWD), neck circumference (NL), neck circumference (NC) and height at withers (HW) with R2= 100% in young and HW, HG with R2 = 100% in adult category. The traits were significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) and positively correlated amongst themselves (r=0.09-0.87).It is therefore concluded that the inclusion of two variables improved the prediction marginally, but the addition of further variables gave little further improvement. The association may be useful as selection criterion, since positive correlations of traits suggest that the traits are under the same gene action (pleiotropy/linkage). It is therefore recommended that tail length, neck circumference, body length, height at withers and heart girth should be used as the best predictors of body weight across the sex and age categories of donkeys. 

Sexual dimorphism in the baiji, Lipotes vexillifer

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1484-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gao Anli ◽  
Zhou Kaiya
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Young Female ◽  
The Body ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Genital Aperture ◽  
Condylobasal Length ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Width Measurements

Dimorphism was detected in body length and in skull dimensions of the baiji, Lipotes vexillifer. The age of a sample comprising 22 females and 14 males was estimated. A single-phase Laird growth model was fitted to the body length versus age data for females. Two curves were required for the males, one for those with 4 dentinal growth layer groups (GLGs) and another for those above that age, i.e., with more than 4 GLGs. Males and females have about the same growth rate until they have about 4 GLGs, after which males grow more slowly than females. Sexual dimorphism was also found in 9 external measurements, based on t-tests. Analysis of covariance showed that once the effect of body length was removed, only 1 of the 9 measurements, from the tip of the upper jaw to the genital aperture, differed significantly between males and females. Differences in skull measurements resulted mainly from an early slowdown in the rate of longitudinal growth of the male, before the increase in body length slowed. Females and males could be correctly sexed by discriminant analysis using the body length, condylobasal length, and zygomatic width, and also the condylobasal length, width of the rostrum at the base, and the zygomatic width, except for one young female. Eight skull length measurements were greater in adult females than in adult males after the effect of body length was removed, and five skull width measurements were greater in males when the effect of condylobasal length was removed. Asymmetry in the position of the blowhole and in skew of the skull is pronounced and is independent of body length and sex.

scholarly journals Effects of long-term preservation on amphibian body conditions: Implications for historical morphological research

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guocheng Shu ◽  
Yuzhou Gong ◽  
Feng Xie ◽  
Nicholas C. Wu ◽  
Cheng Li
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Morphological Research ◽  
Long Term Preservation

Measurements of historical specimens are widely applied in studies of taxonomy, systematics, and ecology, but biologists often assume that the effects of preservative chemicals on the morphology of amphibian specimens do not affect their analyses. We compared the body length and body mass of 14 live and preserved (up to 10 years) amphibian species and found that the body length and body mass of preserved specimens significantly decreased by 7.1% and 26.7%, respectively, compared to those measurements of their live counterparts. Additionally, there was greater body length (3.6%) and body mass (6.6%) shrinkage in the order Urodela than in the order Anura, but there were no significant differences in body length and body mass shrinkage between males and females. Furthermore, preservation apparently distorted the magnitude of the intersexual and interspecific differences in body length observed in the fresh specimens. When species were compared, we found that the shrinkage was proportionately greater in longer species, while the body mass of heavier individuals shrank proportionately less than that of lighter individuals. Due to the effects of preservation on amphibian morphology, we propose parsimonious conversion equations to back-calculate the original body length and body mass of study animals for researchers working with historical data because morphological data from preserved specimens may lead to incorrect biological interpretations. Therefore, researchers must correct for errors due to preservation effects that may lead to the misinterpretation of results.

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