Morphological differences among three color morphotypes of Sebastes inermis (Scorpaenidae)

Abstract

Morphological differences among three color morphotypes occurring almost sympatrically (A, reddish type; B, blackish type; C, brownish type) of Sebastes inermis are clarified. Twenty-six morphometric characters and seven meristic characters were examined on about 20 specimens of each morphotype, 15 of the morphometric characters differing significantly. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the morphometric characters showed morphotype C to differ from the other two morphotypes. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) of the morphometric characters showed clear separation of each morphotype. Four meristic characters also differed significantly. Modes of pectoral fin ray counts of morphotypes A, B, and C were 15, 16, and 17, respectively, and the modes of anal fin ray counts of morphotypes B and C were 7 and 8, respectively. Many individuals of morphotype A had seven or eight anal fin rays. These differences suggested that the three morphotypes may be reproductively isolated from each other.