Abstract
It has been accounted that the extent of sexual dimorphism in Pomacea canaliculata, a serious rice pest in Asia, has caused considerable taxonomic confusion. This study was conducted to explore possible sexual shell dimorphism in P. canaliculata by the aid of geometric morphometric measurements, since traditional measurements have problems in terms of accuracy. Relative Warp Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis have been used in the study to determine patterns of sexual shell dimorphism in the golden apple snail. Results demonstrated sexual differences in size, spire height, and shell opening. These morphological differences could be attributed to ecological responses of the gastropod. The results clearly indicate that geometric morphometric methods are useful in detecting subtle differences between sexes.
Highlights
Descriptions of organisms typically include qualitative estimates of body shapes
Sexual dimorphism in this species is traditionally quantified through straight-line measurements and ratios but recently, the tools of geometric morphometric analysis was found to be useful in snail shell dimorphism (Galliguez et al, 2009; Minton and Wang, 2011) is used in the current study
This study was conducted to quantitatively describe sexual dimorphism in the shell shape of P. canaliculata based on its shell shape patterns
Summary
Descriptions of organisms typically include qualitative estimates of body shapes. For the past years, the study of biological form progressed from qualitative to quantitative. Image analysis coupled with geometric morphometric has proven important in the quantitative shape analysis of many biological structures This method of analysis represents scientific opportunity to study taxonomic characters on discriminating between sexes of the golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1819) which was found to have a problem in sex differentiation. P. canaliculata shows remarkable anatomical, physiological and ecological characteristics, which have enthralled scientific, interest since long ago (Estebenet and Martin, 2002) It received much attention when it became established as a serious rice pest in Asia including the Philippines (Cowie, 2006; Cagauan and Joshi, 2003; Joshi et al, 2005; and Joshi, 2005; Guerrero, 1989). Examination of the shell shape variation was made using geometric morphometry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
