Analysis of shape variation in Phalops Erichson genus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Onthophagini)

Abstract

In order to obtain data on interspecific variation among the species belonging to Phalops genus, shape variation in genitalia armures was investigated using geometric morphometric methods. For males, shape variation was analyzed using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA), while in females shape variation of the sde‐rotized area of the vagina was examined using both GPA and elliptic Fourier analysis. For each sex, patterns of shape variation among species were examined using both relative warp analysis and cluster analysis, and concordance of male and female shape variation was assessed with both a Mantel test and two‐block partial least squares analysis. There was little correspondence between male and female genitalia shape. Finally, results from these analyses were compared to the phylogenetic relationships among the taxa.