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Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonus limosus from Danube, Serbia, were analyzed to describe the general body shape. Forty-eight specimens were caught in May 2022 and January 2023 and measured for morphometric variation. Also, the values of two crayfish condition indices, Fulton’s condition factor (FCF) and crayfish constant (CC), were determined. Most of the analyzed characteristics were moderately variable (CV 10-30%). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the morphological measurements. All the variables make similar contributions to the variance of the first principal component. The highest contributions are from variables CEF and ARL. ARW, CPH, ABH, CPW, and ROW significantly contributed to the second principal component variance. The population of spiny-cheek crayfish at the investigated site has a relatively stable age structure.

Morphometric disparities were employed to characterize the geographical variations in and elucidate the phylogeography of Portunus sanguinolentus in East Asia. In this study, a comprehensive assessment was undertaken based on measurements from 833 individual crabs. These crabs were sampled from eight distinct locations, namely Kyushu (KS), Fuzhou (FZ), Yilan (YL), Xiamen (XM), Tainan (TN), Hong Kong (HK), Vietnam (VN), and Singapore (SG). Twelve morphometric measurements were standardized based on size using the allometric method. A cluster analysis and a canonical variate analysis (CVA) were then conducted for a data analysis. Randomization tests were subsequently performed to validate the morphometric differences observed among the groups. The analytical results classified the eight sampled populations into at least two distinct clusters. The first cluster included three samples from China (specifically FZ, XM, and HK), while the second cluster consisted of samples from East Asia (including KS, YL, TN, VN, and SG). The CVA revealed a tripartite division into three groups: the mainland China group (FZ, XM, and HK), the Kuroshio group (KS, YL, and TN), and the Southeast Asia group (VN and SG). The observed morphometric variations between these broad groups were statistically significant for both genders. These differences may be attributed to evolutionary origins, geographical events, or environmental adaptations. This study highlights the effectiveness of morphometric techniques in providing comprehensive insights into species delimitation and philogeographic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) is a distinct form of stroke characterised by bleeding in the subarachnoid space. The incidence of SAH is influenced by various factors, including age, gender, and geographic location. Aim: To evaluate age and sex-related anatomical variation in vessel diameters of the Circle of Willis (CoW) in patients with SAH in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted on patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were admitted to the Institute of Neurosciences in Kolkata and diagnosed with SAH using brain computed tomography between January 2014 and September 2015. Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) was performed on 50 patients, aged 15 to 70 years. The vessel diameters of CoW components were measured using specialised software. Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test was conducted to assess differences in vessel diameters based on age and sex. Results: The results showed that older patients (≤40 years) had larger vessel diameters compared to younger patients (

A population of Hirschmanniella oryzae (van Breda de Haan, 1902) Luc & Goodey, 1964 with extreme morphological and morphometric variations was reported from rhizospheric soils sampled from a paddy rice-garlic double cropped farm in Korea. Females and males are morphologically characterized and their linked DNA sequence data supplied. Morphological and morphometric data revealed extreme intraspecific variation, especially in body length, stylet length, tail length, tail terminus shape and body ratios. But, despite the significant morphological and morphometric divergence, inferences from the analyses of the 18S-rRNA, D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S-rRNA and ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 of rRNA partial sequences confirmed that the studied population belongs to H. oryzae. The current morphometric data extends total ranges recorded for H. oryzae, but also, overlaps all morphometric characters of H. belli Sher, 1968. However, the available molecular DNA markers (18S- and 28S-rRNA) strongly support the validity of the two species. Therefore, H. belli is herein considered a cryptic sibling species of H. oryzae. Morphological divergence is becoming a common phenomenon in Hirschmanniella spp., and there is a continuous need to apply integrative taxonomic identification considering both morphological and molecular markers to supplement the current generic compendia. The COI gene sequences of H. oryzae are herein supplied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We analyzed morphometric and molecular variation among 8 populations of Peromyscus zarhynchus grouped into 5 pooled samples representing separate physiographic regions across the range of this species in Chiapas, Mexico, and western Guatemala. Mitochondrial sequence data identify 2 well-supported and reciprocally monophyletic clades, separating all Chiapas specimens from those in Guatemala. These 2 clades group as a strongly supported monophyletic lineage aligned with other members of the Peromyscus mexicanus species group. The Chiapas clade is further subdivided into 4 subclades: 1) samples from the western part of the state, 2) specimens from a single locality in Northern Chiapas, 3) all central localities, and 4) those from a single locality in Eastern Chiapas. The molecular distance in the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene (Cytb) between the 2 major clades is relatively low (mean p-distance = 3.66%); those between the 4 Chiapas subclades are even less (mean p-distance 2.73%). Multivariate analyses of external and craniodental morphometric variables also distinguish 2 major groups, separating Guatemalan from Chiapas samples but with the latter also divided into 2 subgroups, one that segregates the Northern Chiapas sample from those distributed elsewhere in that state. The Guatemalan and Chiapas samples differ in both cranial size and shape variables. The second-level separation of samples from within Chiapas (northern versus all others) is interpreted to result from the combination of local adaptation to distinct physiographic regions and geographic isolation generated by patches of suitable habitat. We describe the Guatemalan samples as a distinct species based on their molecular and morphological uniqueness, and argue that P. zarhynchus itself is divided into definable subspecies, with the nominotypical form P. z. zarhynchus, restricted to the vicinity of its type locality (Tumbalá) in Northern Chiapas, and P. z. cristobalensis with type locality of San Cristobal, over the remainder of the species range in the state.

Animals derive their coloration from a variety of pigments as well as non-pigmentary structural features. One of the most widespread types of pigments are carotenoids, which are used by all invertebrate taxa and most vertebrate orders to generate red, pink, orange and yellow coloration. Despite their widespread use by diverse animal groups, animals obligately obtain carotenoid pigments from diet. Carotenoid-based coloration is therefore modulated by evolutionary and ecological processes that affect the acquisition and deposition of these pigments into tegumentary structures. The Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) is a highland songbird in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) that is distributed from Mexican sierras through Central America up to western Panama. While female plumage throughout its entire range is predominantly yellow, males exhibit a noticeable split in ventral plumage color, which is bright orange on the West slope and the Tres Marias Islands and blood red in Eastern Mexico and Central America. We used Multiple Regression on Matrices (MRM) to evaluate the relative contributions of geographic distance, climate and genetic distance on color divergence and body differences between geographically disjunct populations. We found that differentiation in carotenoid plumage coloration was mainly explained by rainfall differences between disjunct populations, whereas body size differences was best explained by variation in the annual mean temperature and temperature of coldest quarter. These results indicate that climate is a strong driver of phenotypic divergence in Piranga bidentata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 44 accessions and cultivars of three species of Pistacia including P. atlantica (15 accessions), P. khinjuk (23 accessions), and P. vera (6 cultivars) collected from different parts of Ilam and Semnan provinces, Iran, were evaluated for leaf and fruit traits. Investigation of morphometric traits revealed that there was a high variability (CVph) in fruit traits compared to leaf traits among species. The results of the principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that the three main components explained 94.04% of the total variation among the accessions. In PCA1, the fruit weight, length, and diameter, kernel and shell weight were predominant in the first component and explained 52% of the total variation. According to the results of cluster analysis, the accessions were divided into three main groups so that, those belonging to each species were placed into separate groups. Also, in the second part of the experiment, genetic diversity among samples was investigated using 12 RAPD primers. A total of 71 alleles were identified and their sizes ranged from 280 to 2500 bp. The number of observed alleles for each locus ranged from 4 (OPA-18 and OPA-16) to 9 (Custom primer) alleles, with an average of 5.91 alleles per locus. The polymorphic index content (PIC) was the highest (0.81) for the OPB- 14 locus and the lowest (0.089) for the OPA-13 locus, and was 0.35 among all RAPD loci. The Jaccard's genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.27 to 0.84 among the samples. The obtained results of the current study will help in the classification, preservation, and identification of Pistachio genetic resources and can be effective in breeding improved varieties of this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Morphometry of fruits and seeds is a useful and important information for phenotyping and genetic characterization of crop plant species and, for conservation of endangered species, as is the case of Butia purpurascens Glassman. In this study, we determined comparatively the morphometric features of fruits and pyrenes between yellow and magenta B. purpurascens morphotypes, located in four different sites (populations). We processed 1380 fruits collected from 69 individuals. We evaluated the length, width and weight of the fruits and pyrenes, the fresh and dry pulp mass, and percentage of pulp moisture. Yellow morph showed larger and heavier fruits than magenta morph. Morphometric differences were also evident among the four populations, suggesting that ecosystems fragmentation can cause deleterious genetic effects in B. purpurascens in long-term.

Animals derive their coloration from a variety of pigments as well as non-pigmentary structural features. One of the most widespread types of pigments are carotenoids, which are used by all invertebrate taxa and most vertebrate orders to generate red, pink, orange and yellow coloration. Despite their widespread use by diverse animal groups, animals obligately obtain carotenoid pigments from diet. Carotenoid-based coloration is therefore modulated by evolutionary and ecological processes that affect the acquisition and deposition of these pigments into tegumentary structures. The Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) is a highland songbird in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) that is distributed from Mexican sierras through Central America up to western Panama. While female plumage throughout its entire range is predominantly yellow, males exhibit a noticeable split in ventral plumage color, which is bright orange on the West slope and the Tres Marias Islands and blood red in Eastern Mexico and Central America. We used Multiple Regression on Matrices (MRM) to evaluate the relative contributions of geographic distance, climate and genetic distance on color divergence and body differences between geographically disjunct populations. We found that differentiation in carotenoid plumage coloration was mainly explained by rainfall differences between disjunct populations, whereas body size differences was best explained by variation in the annual mean temperature and temperature of coldest quarter. These results indicate that climate is a strong driver of phenotypic divergence in Piranga bidentata.

Morphometric variations among three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, L. catla and Cirrhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) of different life stages (fry, fingerling and adult) were studied from landmark based morphometric method using multivariate analysis. Altogether, images of 1743 specimens of three species were taken and 11 homologous landmarks were digitized to yield 55 morphometric characters. Transformed measurements were subjected to univariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) in order to determine morphometric variations. Univariate analysis of variance showed that 50 characters were significant (p < 0.001). PCA extracted 10 principal components explaining 53.99% of the total variance. DFA correctly classified 98.7% of original and cross-validated grouped cases, both. The results acquired from the multivariate analyses indicate significant morphometric heterogeneity among species. Findings of the present study reveals potential of landmark based morphometry in identifying representative body shape characters helpful in rapid discrimination of Indian major carps at different life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental Foramen (MF) is a bilateral funnel-like opening located anterolateral aspect of the body of mandible gives path to mental nerve and vessels. Assessing the mental foramen helps to avoid mental nerve injury during dental treatment procedures. The study aimed to detect the variation in shape, appearance, position, and morphometric variations of MF in digital panoramic radiographs among the three different ethnic groups. Methods: Cross sectional retrospective study conducted on 30 Indian, 30 Chinese and 30 Malay patients’ digital panoramic radiographs of AIMST University, taken using Sordex digital X-ray unit with tube potential: 60-80 kV, tube current: 4-12 mA, focal size: 0.5 mm, exposure time: 11.3 s and magnification factor of 1:1.25. Results: Among the three ethnic groups majority exhibited ME oval shape, Position of MF in Malay group on left side is between the two premolars and posterior to second premolar on right side Chinese and Indian groups, position of MF was below tooth, the two premolars. No significant difference was observed in the appearance of MF between three major ethnic groups, significant difference in morphometric variations noted on the right and the left side among the three different ethnic groups. In polish population MF was oval in shape, this is in accordance with our study. No significant difference was observed in the appearance of mental foramen in the present study. But previous studies showed significant differences. No significant difference observed in the position of the mental foramen in the present study. Statistically significant difference in the morphometric variables of the MF was noted. Conclusion: Present study concludes shape is oval, with significant difference in the morphometric variation of MF among the three ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Molossops includes two species that are restricted to South America: Molossops neglectus and Molossops temminckii. The smaller dog-faced dwarf Molossops temminckii is distributed from Colombia to Argentina and has a wide morphological variation and vocal plasticity. In Colombia, this species remains poorly known. To fill distributional gaps, we present novel records from Arauca, Atlántico, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Huila departments. We also present an analysis of the morphometric variation in South America using Principal Component Analyses. These show an external and cranial difference of specimens of Colombia in respect of other and South America populations. In Colombian landscapes dominated by the floodplain savanna of the Orinoco region, Molossops temminckii is smaller than in the other regions of the country, and the previously suggested existence of cryptic diversity within the taxon should be evaluated. Therefore, we suggest further integrative analyses to investigate a possible subspecific status of some Colombian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Facial anthropometry had proved its great importance in the field of facial reconstructive surgery as well as in the field of forensic science. Specific face types and nose types provides us important information about specific types of races. Aim: To study the morphometric variation in facial index and nasal index as well as different types of faces and types of noses in the Western Maharashtrian males. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in the five cities- Sangli, Kolhapur, Islampur, Karad and Satara of Western Maharashtra, India. Total 535 male students of different colleges between the age group of 18-20 years were selected and measurements were taken with the help of Digital Vernier Calliper in the sitting position after due approval from Institutional Ethical Committees and informed consent. The methodology adopted for the measurements was taken from the guidelines given by Farkas LG in his book-“Anthropometric facial proportions in Medicine”. Results: The mean facial index of Western Maharashtrian males was 89.51 with standard deviation 4.26 and dominant face type was leptoprosopic which was 46.73% and rare type of face was hypereuriprosopic which was 0.19%. Mean nasal index of Western Maharashtrian males was 72.84 with standard deviation 6.86 and dominant nose type was mesorrhine which was 63.74%. Conclusion: Certain facial and nasal features are common in particular racial group. Its detection can be helpful in reconstructive facial surgeries.

Abstract The size at the onset of sexual maturity (SOM) was determined in four hololimnetic populations of Macrobrachium amazonicum using morphometric, physiological and functional criteria. Male prawns from two populations analyzed had hypertrophied chelipeds and large body proportions, showing the presence of four morphotypes, i.e. large-size phenotype (LS). However, the other two populations showed smaller males without morphotypes, i.e. small-size phenotype (SS). The development of sexual weapons in males modulated the mating system and SOM in this species. It was verified that there is a synchrony between physiological and functional maturities in SS males. On the other hand, functional maturity in LS males occurred after physiological and morphological maturities. In females, we verified synchronization between morphological and functional maturities. The results obtained indicated that, in both sexes, physiological maturity anticipates the others criteria. There were no differences between the sequential scheme of sexual maturity for female phenotypes, being: physiological → functional morphological. However, the evaluation of sexual maturity in males must take into account the phenotype of population, since that was modulated by functional maturity. The sequential scheme for LS males is: physiological → morphological → functional, while for SS males it is: physiological = functional → morphological.

In the present study, morphological variations in 14 species of two families, Tetraodontidae and Diodontidae, were examined for individuals collected from five different centres in Tamil Nadu in the southeastern coast of India. Twenty-seven morphological measurements and four meristic characters were taken and used for multivariate analyses such as discriminant function analysis (DFA) & MANOVA. DFA revealed that the first two functions accounted for more than 75% variation between the species. Negative allometric values were observed on head length (HL), orbital length (OL), pupil diameter (PD), interorbital length (IOL), pectoral-fin length (PEL), caudal peduncle depth (CPD), dorsal to pectoral fin distance (DPFD), caudal peduncle length (CPL) and post-pectoral-fin length (POPFL) measurements. Also, MANOVA supported the DFA results. Additions, allometric relationships, and meristic variations were observed for most of these species. Moreover, this is the first attempt to describe a greater number of morphological features of the species belonging to the order Tetraodontiformes.

Introduction: Facial anthropometry had proved its great importance in the field of facial reconstructive surgery as well as in the field of forensic science. Specific face types and nose types provides us important information about specific types of races. Aim: To study the morphometric variation in facial index and nasal index as well as different types of faces and types of noses in the Western Maharashtrian males. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in the five cities- Sangli, Kolhapur, Islampur, Karad and Satara of Western Maharashtra, India. Total 535 male students of different colleges between the age group of 18-20 years were selected and measurements were taken with the help of Digital Vernier Calliper in the sitting position after due approval from Institutional Ethical Committees and informed consent. The methodology adopted for the measurements was taken from the guidelines given by Farkas LG in his book-“Anthropometric facial proportions in Medicine”. Results: The mean facial index of Western Maharashtrian males was 89.51 with standard deviation 4.26 and dominant face type was leptoprosopic which was 46.73% and rare type of face was hypereuriprosopic which was 0.19%. Mean nasal index of Western Maharashtrian males was 72.84 with standard deviation 6.86 and dominant nose type was mesorrhine which was 63.74%. Conclusion: Certain facial and nasal features are common in particular racial group. Its detection can be helpful in reconstructive facial surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tenualosa ilisha, T. toli and Hilsa kelee are three Indian shad species of the family Clupeidae. In past, relationships among these shads have been explored in few morphological studies but still remain poorly understood. In this study, 120 specimens of three shad species were collected from the wild and a truss network system of 13 landmarks was interconnected to yield 77 size‐adjusted characters. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) produced 13 discriminating variables in delineating the three species. The landmark based morphometric distance between origin of dorsal fin and posterior end of eye was the most important character in discriminating the three species. Three prominent characters extracted from DFA (distance between posterior end of operculum and posterior end of eye, distance between origin of dorsal fin and posterior end of eye and distance between insertion of pelvic fin and end of operculum) were used as traditional morphometric characters and their ratio to standard length were found significant in differentiating the three shad species. The present study strongly supports the efficiency of landmark‐based morphological characters generated from digital images in discriminating the species and can be used as a rapid diagnostic tool in recognizing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric characters of the white seabream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus 1758) were compared among samples collected from six marine and lagoon sites along the Tunisian coast to elucidate the impact of the geographical barrier of the Siculo-Tunisian Strait and/or the lagoon environment in the morphological variation among the Tunisian white seabream population. Two morphometric descriptors (twenty-five Truss elements and six traditional measurements) were used to study the pattern of this morphological variation. Univariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences (P

Leaves are plant structures that express important traits of the environment where they live. Leaf description has allowed identification of plant species as well as investigation of abiotic factors effects on their development, such as gases, light, temperature, and herbivory. This study described populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum through leaf geometric morphometrics in Brazil. We evaluated 200 leaves from four populations. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four principal components were responsible for 97.81% of variation. The non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NPMANOVA) indicated significant difference between samples (p = 0.0001). The Mentel test showed no correlation between geographical distances and shape. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) indicated that the first two variables were responsible for 96.77 % of total variation, while the cross-validation test showed an average of 83.33%. D. ecastaphyllum leaves are elliptical and ovate.

Morphometric variation among populations of Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron across its natural range (Mahin, epe, Lekki, Apese, Kuramo, Lagos, Iyagbe, Ologe, Badagry, Yewa – Nigeria; Be Lagoon – Togo; Idenau – Cameroon, Aheme – Benin; Portonovo – Benin) were studied to assess the level of differentiation of one of the populations that is currently isolated from the rest, the Apese Lagoon population. S. m. melanotheron showed subtle differentiation from some of the other lagoon populations. However, the pattern of variation did not reflect the level of geographical barriers or geographical distance among populations. The characters that form the basis of the differentiation observed were mostly those related to feeding, vision and respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amongst the termite genera within Rhinotermitidae, the genus Coptotermes is probably regarded as one of the most destructive pest in Malaysia as it contributes to more than 90% of the damages in buildings and structures. In this study, 17 parameters were used for morphometric analysis. Partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) was obtained from 21 populations of C. curvignathus, seven populations of C. sepangensis and two populations of C. kalshoveni in Sarawak. In addition, 11 sequences of Coptotermes spp. were obtained from GenBank and included in the analysis. Based on Discriminant Function Analyses (DFA), the maximum width of postmentum (MxWPt) is identified as the best morphological character for differentiating the four species of Coptotermes in this study, proved by canonical discriminant function. Phylogenetic analyses of COII found that C. sepangensis and C. kalshoveni are nested within a single clade. Morphological comparison also showed these two species to be identical in terms of body measurements and diagnostic features. These evidence indicates that C. sepangensis and C. kalshoveni are the same species, thus we suggest C. sepangensis is a junior synonym of C. kalshoveni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, morphological variations in 14 species of two families, Tetraodontidae and Diodontidae, were examined for individuals collected from five different centres in Tamil Nadu in the southeastern coast of India. Twenty-seven morphological measurements and four meristic characters were taken and used for multivariate analyses such as discriminant function analysis (DFA) & MANOVA. DFA revealed that the first two functions accounted for more than 75% variation between the species. Negative allometric values were observed on head length (HL), orbital length (OL), pupil diameter (PD), interorbital length (IOL), pectoral-fin length (PEL), caudal peduncle depth (CPD), dorsal to pectoral fin distance (DPFD), caudal peduncle length (CPL) and post-pectoral-fin length (POPFL) measurements. Also, MANOVA supported the DFA results. Additions, allometric relationships, and meristic variations were observed for most of these species. Moreover, this is the first attempt to describe a greater number of morphological features of the species belonging to the order Tetraodontiformes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since genetic variation is the basis of evolutionary potential of a species, its structure needs to be understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze and contrast the structure of genetic and phenotypic variation in the Euphydryas aurinia populations of southeastern central Europe. Genetic variation was studied by two types of molecular genetic markers: mtDNA COI sequences and allozymes. As the great hiatus in the European distribution of E. aurinia is located in the central part of the Carpathian Basin, we expected that the populations East and West to this gap would be highly differentiated. Populations of Central Transdanubia actually represent the easternmost margin of the West European distribution of E. aurinia. In view of the peripheral position of these populations, we supposed to find some genetic sign of local adaptation, as a consequence of diversifying selection and an increased level of fluctuating asymmetry as a result of environmental stress. The analyses of the molecular genetic markers revealed a basic East–West differentiation among the populations of southeastern central Europe which was further structured in the western part of the study area. The results suggested that the genetic differentiation between the two western regions is probably the consequence of diversifying selection. The pattern of phenotypic differentiation among the western populations, however, was different. A geographic cline was revealed (decreasing wing size) toward the eastern margin of the distribution in parallel with increasing fluctuating asymmetry. The conservation inferences of the results are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Knowledge of the normal arterial diameter at a given anatomical point is the first step toward quantifying the severity of cardiovascular diseases. According to several studies, parameters such as weight, height, age and sex can explain morphometric variations in arterial anatomy that are observed in a population. Before the development of a reference database against which to compare the diameters of arteries in a variety of pathological conditions, the compatibility between embalmed body measurements and computed tomography (CT) measurements must first be established.Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare embalmed body measurements and CT measurements at 19 different arterial sites to establish whether embalmed body measurements are a true reflection of a living population.Methods: A total of 154 embalmed bodies were randomly selected from the Department of Anatomy at the University of Pretoria and 36 embalmed bodies were randomly selected from the Department of Human Anatomy at the University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus. Dissections were performed on the embalmed body sample and the arterial dimensions were measured with a mechanical dial-sliding caliper (accuracy of 0.01 mm). 30 CT images for each of the 19 arterial sites were retrospectively selected from the database of radiographic images at the Department of Radiology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Radiant, a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) viewer was used to analyze the CT images.Results: The only statistically significant differences between the embalmed body measurements and CT measurements were found in the left common carotid- and the left subclavian arteries. The null hypothesis of no statistically significant difference between the embalmed body and CT measurements was accepted since the P value indicated no significant difference for 87% of the measurements, the exception being the left common carotid- and the left subclavian arteries.Conclusions: With the exception of two measurements, measurements in embalmed bodies and living people are interchangeable and concerns regarding the effect of distortion and shrinkage are unfounded. Even small changes in arterial diameter greatly influence blood flow and blood pressure, which contribute to undesirable clinical outcomes such as aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. This study completes the first step towards the development of a reference database against which to compare the diameters of arteries in a variety of pathological conditions in a South African population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric variation of Pelophylax saharicus was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics, with both traditional and geometric morphometrics, based on 148 specimens from four different geographical localities in Tunisia and Algeria. The results show the existence of three morphotypes in Tunisia and one in Algeria, and indicate a significant degree of variation in morphometric characters between regions. Specimens from the southernmost region have the smallest body size and the greatest morphometric divergence from other populations. This pattern of morphometric variation probably results from phenotypic plasticity in response to local environmental factors. The results of our chromosomal study (C-, Ag-NOR-, endonuclease digestion, DAPI, CMA3 and Q-banding) reveal this species to exhibit the plesiomorphic Pelophylax karyotype of 2n = 26 biarmed chromosomes and NORs on the eleventh pair. Similarities and differences of the North African green frog are discussed in relation to the different forms of data collected (chromosomal, morphometric, ecological) [Current Zoology 56 (6): 678–686, 2010].

Mechanisms which govern patterns of intra-specific vatiation in land snails were traced within areas of different size, using Brephulopsis cylindrica (Menke), Chondrula tridens (O. F. Müller), Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki), X. krynickii (Krynicki), Cepaea vindobonensis (Férussac) and Helix albescens Rossmässler as examples. Morphometric shell variation, colour and banding pattern polymorphism as well as genetic polymorphism (allozymes and RAPD markers) were studied. The results and literature data were analysed in an attempt to link patterns to processes, with the following conclusions. Formation of patterns of intraspecific variation (initial processes of microevolution) takes different course at three different spatial scales. At micro-geographical scale the dominant role is played by eco-demographic characteristics of the species in the context of fluctuating environmental factors. At meso-geographical scale a special part is played by stochastic population-genetic processes. At macro-geographical scale more or less distinct clinal patterns are associated with basic macroclimatic indices, while the stochastic processes tend to lose importance. The basic factors of microevolutionary process which act at different spatial scales result from processes which progress over different lengths of time: micro-geographical variation patterns reflect processes which are in progress at the moment; meso-geographical variation is to a larger extent determined by processes which occurred in historic past; macro-geographical variation reflects processes which coincided with formation of the respective landscapes or climate zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analyses of geographic variation and the detection of discontinuities among populations of a given taxa is a fundamental step on evolutionary studies. Some recent studies have demonstrated that along the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil there are some phylogenetic and phylogeographic discontinuities recovered with molecular markers for several groups of organisms, granting the proposition of biogeographic hypothesis for species diversification in this biome. For instance, a phylogeographic study using cytochrome b sequences demonstrated geographic pattern of genetic variation in the oryzomyine rodent Euryoryzomys russatus . Considering the widespread occurrence of E. russatus , its susceptibility to fragmentation, and the existence of geographic structure in the genetic variation mentioned above, E. russatus stands as an interesting species to describe the geographic pattern of craniodental variation. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the morphometric variation patterns coupled with the actual knowledge regarding the evolution of the Atlantic Forest biota, in order to test the hypothesis that the phenotype of E. russatus exhibits a structured pattern of variation along the Atlantic Forest similar to that described for the cytochrome b gene on continental and coastal islands samples. Our results showed that there is congruence between the gaps here described on morphometric data and the genetic data described in literature. We also detected important variation in size between some insular populations and the continent. Geographic patterns of morphometric variation observed for E. russatus were compared to other patterns of diversity for the Atlantic biome, and discussed under historical biogeographic context. We concluded that study of morphometric variation might offer important support to phylogeographic and biogeographic hypothesis based on molecular markers and provide a better scenario on the expression of the phenotypic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation reports an elucidation of genetic diversity among 12 promising Indian cashew nut cultivars, including 9 local selections and 3 hybrids on the basis of morphometric and yield parameters as well as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Dice dissimilarity coefficient was used to discriminate cultivars with respect to gross phenotypic characters such as plant growth, flowering, fruit, and nut characters. DNA from these cultivars were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 35 decamer oligonucleotide primers of which 15 primers were able to generate informative polymorphism (average 79.187%). The unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) dendrogram segregated the cashew cultivars into two main clusters at 0.53 Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. Five different primers were identified with the ability to discriminate eight cultivars based on a unique band pattern. Although both morphometric descriptors and RAPD markers proved their effectiveness for distinguishing the different cultivars in cashew germplasm of India, the superiority of the latter was explicit being more informative as to genotypic discrimination and establishing genetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partir de la revisión de más de 1 250 ejemplares de serpúlidos, 15 especies de la región del Gran Caribe fueron identificadas y caracterizadas. Trece especies fueron recolectadas en las costas de la Península de Yucatán y ocho fueron encontradas en otras localidades en el Golfo de México, otras siete son de Cuba y se incluyeron comentarios sobre el material tipo de dos especies más. Se realizaron tres análisis morfométricos para evaluar algunos caracteres. El primero sobre Pomatostegus stellatus (Abildgaard) y especies y subespecies relacionadas: P. brachysoma Schmarda, P. macrosoma Schmarda, P. s. fruticosa Mörch, P. s. pentapoma Mörch y P. s. tetrapoma Mörch, indicando que estas son con-específicas. Otro fue sobre las especies de Spirobranchus de Blainville: S. dendropoma Mörch, S. giganteus (Pallas), S. polycerus (Schmarda) y S. polycerus augeneri ten Hove; se demostró que S. giganteus es diferente de los otros tres táxones. El tercer análisis fue realizado sobre Vermiliopsis annulata (Schmarda) s.l., y permitió reconocer tres formas diferentes. Asimismo, varios ejemplares incompletos probablemente pertenecen a un género indescrito. Se incluye una clave de identificación para todas las especies registradas en la región del Gran Caribe.From the revision of more than 1 250 serpulids, 15 species from the Grand Caribbean Region were identified and characterized. Thirteen species were collected along the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula and eight were found in other localities in the Gulf of Mexico, seven others are from Cuba and comments on type specimens of two species are also included. Three morphometric analyses were made to evaluate some characters. The first on Pomatostegus stellatus (Abildgaard), and related species and subspecies: P. brachysoma Schmarda, P. macrosoma Schmarda, P. s. fruticosa Mörch, P. s. pentapoma Mörch and P. s. tetrapoma Mörch, indicated that they are conspecific. Another one on Spirobranchus de Blainville species: S. dendropoma Mörch, S. giganteus (Pallas), S. polycerus (Schmarda) and S. polycerus augeneri ten Hove; indicated that S. giganteus differs from the other three taxa. The third analysis was made on Vermiliopsis annulata (Schmarda) sensu lato; it allowed the recognition of three different forms. Several incomplete specimens might belong to an undescribed genus. A key for identification of all the species recorded in the Grand Caribbean Region is also included.

A partir de la revisión de más de 450 ejemplares de Hydroides y Serpula, 12 especies de la región del Gran Caribe fueron identificadas y caracterizadas. Ocho especies fueron recolectadas en las costas de la Península de Yucatán y cinco fueron encontradas en otras localidades en el Golfo de México, otras siete son de Cuba y se incluyeron comentarios sobre el material tipo de cinco especies más. Se realizó un análisis morfométrico sobre Hydroides mucronatus Rioja e Hydroides cf. mucronatus indicando varias diferencias entre ellas. Se incluyen comentarios a todas las especies.From the study of more than 450 specimens of Hydroides and Serpula, 12 species from the Grand Caribbean Region were identified and characterized. Eight species were collected along the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula and five were found in other localities in the Gulf of Mexico, seven others are from Cuba and comments on type specimens of five species are also included. One morphometric analysis made on Hydroides mucronatus Rioja and Hydroides cf. mucronatus, indicated several differences among them. Comments on all species are also included.

The taxonomic status of Octopus aegina in Suez Canal, Gulf of Suez (north of the Red Sea) and Mediterranean Seawas elucidated by morphological analysis. Samples were collected seasonally from March 2009 till May 2010. Length weight relationships resulted in that O. aegina exhibits different growth pattern between the three studied sites. Twenty one morphometric indices were used to distinguish the three populations. Independent sample t-test revealed that in the three sites most of the indices are not significantly differed between males and females. While, one Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that all measured morphometric indices of O. aegina are significantly differed between the three studied sites. The morphometric differences between the three populations are most probably due to differences in environmental conditions and resources availability. The genetic evidence indicates that Lessepsian migrant (Octopus sp.) is Octopus aegina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using museum collections and recently collected specimens we studied geographical and temporal (from 1906 to 2013) changes in skull size of two sibling species of rodents,Otomys auratusandO. angoniensis, in northern South Africa occupying distinct temperate grassland (O. auratus) and subtropical savanna (O. angoniensis) biomes. We hypothesised that cranial size should vary in space and time within species according to Bergmann's Rule, which predicts an inverse relationship between body size and temperature. We used the greatest length of the skull (GLS) as a robust indicator of body size. Cranial size of bothO. auratusandO. angoniensisdecreased significantly over the past 100 years, as expected given historical evidence of warming across northern South Africa since the 1950s. In terms of geographical patterns, GLS was inversely correlated with both latitude and longitude inO. auratusbut these trends were correlated with annual rainfall rather than mean annual temperature. Conversely, cranial size ofO. angoniensiswas weakly positively correlated with longitude but with no climatic variables. Our results demonstrate rapid morphological changes in two herbivorous South African rodents over the past 100 years. Whilst the general decline in size with time in relation to increased temperature is consistent with Bergmann's Rule, multiple drivers may underlie geographical trends in the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Morphometric differences were used to elucidate the stock geographic variations and phylogeography of Macrobrachium nipponense in Taiwan. Eight samples were collected from three estuaries (Tamsui River Estuary [TSE], Kaoping River Estuary [KPE], and Houlung River Estuary [HLE]) and five reservoirs (Shimen Reservoir [SMR], Mingde Reservoir [MDR], Deji Reservoir [DJR], Tsengwen Reservoir [TWR], and Chengqing Lake Reservoir [CLR]). Twelve morphometric measurements were size-standardized by the allometric method and via Cluster Analysis and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA). Randomisation tests were used to verify the morphometric variation between groups. The results clustered the eight samples into a minimum of three groups. The first group included four reservoir samples (i.e. DJR, MDR, CLR, and TWR); the second included the SMR sample, and the third comprised the remaining estuarine samples (i.e. TSE, HLE, and KPE). Morphometric variation among the three groups was significant for each sex. Significant differences between these three groups may be derived from evolutionary origins, geographic events or environmental adaption which was discussed in the paper. The difference between multivariate allometric coefficients in both sexes and sites were also tested based on the eight group data sets, and the result showed that the difference between sexes was significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Un total de 37 ejemplares del cangrejo dulceacuícola, Pseudothelphusa belliana fueron recolectados en cuatro nuevas localidades del estado de Michoacán. La variación morfométrica, sobre todo la anchura de caparazón ( = 48.7, D.E. o = 3.3 para Chucutitán versus = 33.5, D.E. = 9.1 para el resto de los ejemplares), la forma de la quela, la coloración y las diferencias en los gonópodos de dos poblaciones separadas geográficamente, sugieren probablemente que se trate de dos subespecies o un complejo de criptoespecies. Una diagnosis, datos de hábitat y de distribución geográfica son incluidos.A total of 37 specimens of the freshwater crab Pseudothelphusa belliana were collected from four new localities in the state of Michoacan. Morphometric variation, specially carapace width ( = 48.7, S.D. or = 3.3 for Chucutitán versus = 33.5, S.D. = 9.1 for the rest of specimens), shape of chela, coloration in vivo, and differences on gonopods of two geographically separate populations, suggest two subspecies or a cryptospecies complex. Diagnosis, habitat and distributional data are also included.

Multivariate analysis of variation in the metric characters in the ground beetle C. granulatus has been performed. It has been shown that the beetle body size increases toward the center of its range, urbanization has a positive effect on all metric traits, but the effect of habitat vegetation has no definite trend. The structure of variation in the metric characters estimated by the principal components method depends on all ecological factors considered: the locality in the geographic range, level of anthropogenic influence, and degree of biotope openness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water-hyacinth grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Bruner) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is native to South America and inhabits lowlands from southern Mexico to central Argentina and Uruguay. This grasshopper feeds and lays eggs on species from the genera Eichhornia and Pontederia. Particularly, Eichhornia crassipes is considered “the world’s worst water weed,” and the release of C. aquaticum was proposed as a form of biological control. Morphometric variation on the chromosomally differentiated populations from the middle and lower Paraná River and its possible association with geographic, sex, and chromosomal conditions was analyzed. Significant phenotype variation in C. aquaticum population was detected. C. aquaticum presents body-size sexual dimorphism, females being bigger than males. Female-biased sexual size dimorphism for all five analyzed traits was detected. The assessment of variation in sexual size dimorphism for tegmen length showed that this trait scaled allometrically, indicating that males and females did not vary in a similar fashion. The detected allometry was consistent with Rensch’s rule demonstrating greater evolutionary divergence in male size than in female size and suggests that males are more sensitive to environmental condition. The analysis of morphometric variation in the context of chromosome constitution showed that the presence of fusion 1/6 was related to body-size variation. Fusion carriers displayed bigger body size than standard homozygotes. Besides, a positive relationship between tegmen length and the number of fused chromosomes was detected, showing a chromosome dose effect. Because the highest frequency of fusions has been found in the lower Paraná River, a marginal environment for this species, the results found would support the hypothesis that some supergenes located in the fusions may be favored in the southern populations, thus contributing to the establishment and maintenance of the polymorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological variation of Penaeus monodon was studied based on the morphometric analyses of samples collected throughout Banda Aceh, Khanom, Mozambique and Sanya. A total of 470 samples were investigated using eight measurements. Multivariate analyses [principal components ( PCA), discriminant function ( DFA) and cluster analyses ( CA)] revealed obvious morphometric differences among the four geographical populations. PCA indicated that the first three components of the females and the first two components of the males accounted for 75.17% and 71.84% of the total morphological variability respectively. In DFA, the overall assignment of female and male individuals into their original population was 78.95% and 84.37% respectively. For females, the proportion of individuals correctly classified into their original population was 76.0%, 92.8%, 92.6% and 54.5% for population 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. For males, the proportion was 97.2%, 68.1%, 100% and 72.2% respectively. For females and males, CA showed that the four populations could be divided into two main clusters of morphological characteristics. CA also indicated that the morphological variation of population 3 was greater, whereas the morphology of population 2 was strikingly similar to that of population 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric variation in Ground Beetle Carabus aeruginosus F.-W. was studied. Beetles were sampled in different habitats in the gradient of disturbance: Kemerovo city, its suburbs and natural biotopes outside the city. We used multidimensional statistics (linear models, PCA and MDS) to show that all environmental factors (anthropogenic press, biotope vegetation) contributed significantly into the beetles body size variation. Various responses of males and females to the environmental factors led to the sexual size dimorphism. The value of the latter was the highest in the meadows and the lowest in urban habitats. Sexual shape dimorphism was recorded in Carabus aeruginosus also. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Pemphigus saliciradicis (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae) lives on roots of Salix spp. (Salicaceae) and Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae) in Holarctic region. Morphometric data for eight morphological characters, measured from 10 field collected samples (50 specimens) were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). Morphometric analyses provided a clear separation of the aphids originating from willow and those collected on grapevine. This indicates that within the Pemphigus saliciradicis species there are two host races or subspecies. Differentiated diagnosis between grapevine root feeding P. saliciradicis and Australian Pemphigus sp. sampled on grapevine roots was provided. An identification key to the apterous females of aphid species feeding on roots of grapevine ( Vitis spp.) was given. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which described the patterns of geographic deviations in morphometric features of the African green toad, Bufo boulengeri, in Tunisia. The study was conducted in three climatic regions in the country that were determined through the Köppen-Geiger system. The methods used in the study include the univariate analysis, as well as the multivariate analyses like the principal component analysis (PCA), canonical variate analysis (CVA), and the discriminant analysis (DA).

Abstract: Anopheles funestus is one of the most proficient malaria vectors in the world, mainly because of its remarkable ability to populate a wide range of ecological settings across Africa. Its formidable environmental plasticity has been primarily associated to high amounts of genetic and inversion polymorphisms. However, very little is known about the morphological changes that this ecological adaptation entails. Here, we report on wing morphometric variations in karyotyped specimens of this species collected throughout a wide range of eco-geographical conditions in Cameroon (Central Africa). Our results revealed strong selection on mosquito wing traits. Variation of wing size was dependent on temperature and elevation (p <0.001), while wing shape did not exhibit a specific environmental pattern. On the other hand, we observed a significant correlation of wing shape variation (p <0.001), but not size (p >0.05), with regard to karyotype. This pattern was maintained across different environmental conditions. In conclusion, our findings cast strong evidence that change in morphometric traits are under natural selection and contribute to local adaptation in A. funestus populations. Furthermore, the robust relation between chromosome polymorphisms and wing shape suggests new evolutionary hypotheses about the effect of chromosomal inversions on phenotypic variation in this malaria vector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphometric variation of Pelophylax saharicus was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics, with both traditional and geometric morphometrics, based on 148 specimens from four different geographical localities in Tunisia and Algeria. The results show the existence of three morphotypes in Tunisia and one in Algeria, and indicate a significant degree of variation in morphometric characters between regions. Specimens from the southernmost region have the smallest body size and the greatest morphometric divergence from other populations. This pattern of morphometric variation probably results from phenotypic plasticity in response to local environmental factors. The results of our chromosomal study (C-, Ag-NOR-, endonuclease digestion, DAPI, CMA3 and Q-banding) reveal this species to exhibit the plesiomorphic Pelophylax karyotype of 2n = 26 biarmed chromosomes and NORs on the eleventh pair. Similarities and differences of the North African green frog are discussed in relation to the different forms of data collected (chromosomal, morphometric, ecological). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small sergestid shrimps of the genus Acetes are locally known as 'udang garagau' which can be found along the coastal region of Malacca. A total of three species of the genus Acetes (namely, A. indicus, A. japonicus and A. intermedius) are found along the coastal waters of Malacca. The morphometric data of the three species were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and PRIMER software to examine the degree of similarity among the three species. All the morphometric characters, which include total length, carapace length, standard length, abdominal length, telson length, first antenular peduncle, second antenular peduncle, third antenular peduncle, eye length, eye wide, and eye diameter of the three species were significantly found to be different (P < 0.05). The dendrogram of both the male and female populations showed three major clusters indicating the three species of genus Acetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Males of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) were sampled from four rivers in Côte d’Ivoire to determine whether populations could be discriminated on the basis of morphometric variability. A total of 260 specimens (65 from each river) were investigated using 21 measurements. Multivariate analyses were applied to the data. Morphometrics characteristics showed more or less greater discriminatory power to distinguish individuals from different rivers. Coefficient of variation result revealed globally a low intra-population variation (CV<25% for all characters). Multivariates analyses indicated that the four populations were more or less differentiated on the basis of body characters particularly those related to the second pereiopod. Cluster analysis showed morphological variation between Bia population and Sassandra, Bandama and Commé populations was greater, while Sassandra and Bandama specimens were more morphologically similar. The patterns of morphometric variability in M. vollenhovenii male are largely determined by the local environmental conditions and distance geographical distance between sampling sites. If these results are corroborated by further biological evidence (such as geometric morphometry and genetic) including females, there is a strong argument for subdivision of Côte d’Ivoire stock of M. vollenhovenii. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]