Morphological Tools Research Articles

Genetic Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) In North-Central Nigeria Using Ribosomal DNA ITS2 and Mitochondrial 16S-DNA Sequences

Mosquitoes are vectors of various life-threatening diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever etc. Their close proximity to human habitations allows ease for disease transmission. They have been identified by key morphological tools like their wings, legs, bristles etc. but closely related species are difficult to identify based on morphology. Molecular tools have, therefore, been employed to help with the more accurate identification. This study was aimed at identifying and characterizing different mosquito species in five different states in North-Central Nigeria using internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial 16S rDNA regions. Mosquito larvae were collected from stagnant water in breeding places at each collection site in North-central Nigeria. Morphological identification was carried out using standard keys. DNA extraction was performed using EZNA extraction kit. PCR amplification of ribosomal ITS2 and mitochondrial 16S-rDNA gene regions were carried out. The PCR amplicons were sequenced using primers initially used for the PCR. Sequence data were aligned in MEGA 6.0 using ClustalW multiple alignment feature and then compared with GenBank databases for similarity. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the ITS2 region was able to distinguish two mosquito subfamilies; Anophelinae and Culicinae as well as differentiate between and amongst Culex and Aedes species. However, it was unable to effectively distinguish between the two different species of Anopheles sequenced. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker was also able to distinguish the two mosquito subfamilies. It efficiently identified and differentiated Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquito species sequenced in this study. This study concludes that heterogeneity among Nigerian populations of Anopheles mosquitoes of may likely impact malaria vector control programs. We recommend the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers for effective and reliable phylogenetic study and determination of evolutionary relationship among mosquito species.

Eiguliai, one of Rimutė Rimantienė’s first excavations – a revised interpretation

The Final Palaeolithic site at Eiguliai in Central Lithuania, was monitored by Konstantinas Jablonskis and his daughter, Rimutė Jablonskytė (Rimantienė), when she was already in her teens. By the late 1940s, the site had been partly destroyed, but not before yielding many surface finds. She, therefore, decided to obtain as much archaeological data as possible. Rimantienė’s excavations at the Eiguliai 1 site became one of the very first investigations of her career. The collected lithic assemblage suddenly became a reference in researching Swiderian culture sites. The Eiguliai site was well known to scientists from the Eastern Baltic countries as well as to colleagues in Western Europe. As time passed and new excavation methods appeared, the site, which had been recorded only by several pictures and trench plans and where most of the material had been collected from the sandy surface, came to be regarded as not informative enough and ceded its importance to other newly discovered Swiderian sites. However, during the past five years, with the help of consultations with Rimantienė, the archaeological data from Eiguliai was reviewed and the discussion resumed. The aim of this publication is to present the entire lithic collection of morphological tools ascribed to the earliest stage of the site’s occupation, along with some new insights into the archaeological data from Eiguliai. The site is considered to have been a place that was visited multiple times for hunting purposes. While the Swiderian culture assemblage predominates, the possibility of discussing an even earlier visit pre-dating the Swiderian culture is considered. Various remains of archaeological features once recorded at the site are reviewed and their interpretation is clarified: there are probably only a few features that could be ascribed to the Stone Age, contrary to what had been previously proposed. An analysis of the lithic assemblage has shown that people had probably brought flint material to the site, but did not stay there for long, and made quick decisions when tools needed to be produced.

Parasitic Anisakid Nematode Isolated from Stranded Fraser’s Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956) from Central Philippine Waters

Cetaceans, including dolphins, serve as definitive hosts of zoonotic anisakid nematodes, which are important etiological agents for human anisakiasis and allergy-associated health risks. With limited knowledge of these zoonotic parasites from the marine environment in the Philippine waters, the stranding of a Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956) off the central Philippines made it possible to identify the worm species isolated from its gut. Parasitological examinations were carried out using morphological and molecular tools. Morphologically, the SEM and LM data revealed that the specimens belong to the genus Anisakis of the Type 1 group. Molecularly, PCR-RFLP results of the ITS region generated only a single fragment pattern on all worm samples corresponding to the reported molecular keys for A. typica. Further sequence and phylogenetic analyses of both ITS rDNA and mtDNA COX2 genes confirmed the anisakid nematodes’ identity as A. typica. The molecular data obtained in this study support previous findings on the possible existence of local variants of A. typica in this region.

Electronic controlled optical activity analysis on NLO crystal; 4-Amino-5-Nitroindole using morphological, spectroscopic and theoretical tools

The organic NLO crystal for 4-Amino-5-Nitroindole was grown using slow evaporation method along with customized orthorhombic lattice formation and the crystal superiority was evaluated by recording XRD pattern. The framing of crystal structure using molecular planes was examined to find unit cell parameters. The space group (Pnam) for present organic molecular structure was assigned and the density of molecular structure in crystal geometry was measured using B3LYP/6–311++G (d,p). The electronic assisted optical activity of dielectric phase of material was tested and thereby efficiency of NLO activity was calculated. The organic composite geometry was clearly tested to find the molecular stacking and crystal density for stabilizing dielectric slabs. The mulliken charge domain displacement was traced and the parametric oscillation was studied for finding the crystal stabilization. The molecular cross-sectional scattering characteristics of base and allied bond network were studied from the vibrational analysis observation. The electrical assisted electronic process was examined for determining NLO activity to for test ultra-high frequency amplification. The CT complex was identified and it also found to be belonging to indole ring. The electronic and protonic depletion space was calculated from the result of molecular dipole moment and the static charge rigidity was acknowledged. The NBMO profile was keenly grafted and the transitional energy was measured at every consumed electronic energy bands. The vibrational circular dichroic enantiomer image at all vibrational regions was drafted and the sequential pattern of transmission and absorption was verified by obtained peak intensity.

Identification keys to the Anopheles mosquitoes of South America (Diptera: Culicidae). II. Fourth-instar larvae

BackgroundAccurate species identification of South American anophelines using morphological characters of the fourth-instar larva is problematic, because of the lack of up-to-date identification keys. In addition, taxonomic studies, employing scanning electron microscopy of the eggs and DNA sequence data, have uncovered multiple complexes of morphologically similar species, and resulted in the resurrection of other species from synonymy, mainly in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. Consequently, the identification keys urgently need to be updated to provide accurate morphological tools to identify fourth-instar larvae of all valid species and species complexes.MethodsMorphological characters of the fourth-instar larvae of South American species of the genus Anopheles were examined and employed to elaborate a fully illustrated identification key. For species for which no specimens were available, illustrations were based on published literature records.ResultsA fully illustrated key to the fourth-instar larvae of South American species of the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) is presented. Definitions of the morphological terms used in the key are provided and illustrated.ConclusionsMorphological identification of South American Anopheles species based on the fourth-instar larvae has been updated. Characters of the spiracular apparatus were determined useful for the identification of morphologically similar species, in the Strodei Group and some taxa in the Myzorhynchella Section. The single versus branched abdominal seta 6-IV used to differentiate Myzorhynchella species from other Nyssorhynchus species was shown to be variable in Myzorhynchella species. Also, the abdominal setae 1-IV,V of Anopheles atacamensis and Anopheles pictipennis were shown to be slightly serrate at the edges. Recognition of this character is important to avoid inaccurate identification of these species as members of the subgenus Anopheles.

Phytophagous nematodes in cereal fields in Niğde Province, Turkey

This study evaluated the occurrence and incidence of phytophagous nematodes and identified the cereal cyst nematode species by morphological and molecular tools in the main cereal-growing areas in Nigde in 2018-2019. Phytophagous nematodes within twelve genera were detected in 95% of soil samples. The most common phytophagous nematodes in cereal soil were in the genera Heterodera, Ditylenchus , Merlinius , Pratylenchus , Aphelenchus , Aphelenchoides , Tylenchus , Helicotylenchus , Trophurus , Pratylenchoides , Filenchus and Xiphinema (in decreasing order of incidence). In particular, 75% of the soil samples from surveyed fields were infested with the cereal cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp.). Morphological characteristics of cysts and second-stage juveniles were calculated within the expected ranges for Heterodera filipjevi (Madzhidov, 1981) Stelter, 1984, however, two populations from Camardi was determined as Heterodera latipons Franklin, 1969 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae). Intraspecific variation was not observed within the populations of H. filipjevi which could be in the same genotypic group. In addition to the high incidence of these Heterodera spp., intensive cereal cropping systems with/without non-cereal rotations in wheat production areas of Nigde also resulted in high incidence of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus species.

Surgical benefit of mandibular morphometric analysis: A new tool to standardize mandibular reconstruction.

PurposeThe gold-standard for reconstruction of large mandibular defects is the use of free flaps of vascularized autologous bone with the fibula as the preferred donor site. The use of "custom cutting guides" for this indication is becoming increasingly prevalent. But cost of the procedure averages around 2,500 dollars per patient excluding treatment and entails selection criteria. We think it is possible to standardize mandibular reconstructions from an anatomical mean. The objective of this study was to perform a mandibular morphometric analysis in order to obtain a set of "mean" measurements, which can be used by all surgeons interested in mandibular reconstruction.MethodsWe performed a morphometric analysis consisting of three-dimensional mandibular reconstructions of 30 men and 30 women. Several reference points were set and defined to evaluate specific lengths and angles of interest. We conducted an intra and inter-sexual descriptive analysis of measurements obtained.ResultsWe did not identify any major intra-sexual differences within each group. The gonial angle is more open in women and the measurements characterizing the basilar contour are more prominent in men. We did not identify any differences in alveolar region parameters.ConclusionThe results of this study constitute a morphological tool for surgeons, from bone graft to free flap. These results also confirm us that the use of «custom cutting guides» for mandibular reconstruction may be excessive. It is pertinent to examine the value of "custom made" mandibular reconstructions since the differences observed are of the order of millimeters.

Community diversity and stress tolerance of culturable endophytic fungi from black seed (Nigella sativa L.)

Endophytic fungi constitute an important source of structurally diverse and pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. Most medicinal plants possess antimicrobial activity and host a number of endophytic fungi used in defense mechanisms against attack by pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine biodiversity of endophytic fungi isolated from black seeds, using morphological and molecular-based tools. Each isolate was, thereafter, subjected to stress tolerance through varying conditions of pH (2,3 and 12), salinity (3%,8% and 10%) and temperature (2 °C,25 °C,37 °C and 50 °C). Four hundred and ninety-two (n=492) black seeds were used to isolate fungal strains on potato dextrose agar. A combination of microscopic examination and PCR amplification of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS 1 and ITS 4) regions were used to identify fungal isolates. One hundred (n=100) endophytic fungi were successfully isolated with a 20% isolation rate. Under salt-stress conditions, most isolates managed to grow at 3% concentration, representing 88% fungal growth, with a maximum of 75–80.5 mm growth diameter. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the fungi survived at pH 2, 16% survived at 37 °C, while there was no survival at a temperature higher than 50 °C. All the fungi belonged to the Ascomycota phylum, classified under Dothideomycetes (46%), Eurotiomycetes (39%) and Sordariomycetes (11%). The predominant genera identified were Penicillium (35%), Alternaria (26%) and Cladosporium (17%). The findings revealed that medicinal plants, including Nigella sativa, are a source of untapped novel endophytic fungi, with abundant therapeutic and agricultural applications.

Revision of the French Polycirridae (Annelida, Terebelliformia), with descriptions of eight new species.

Polycirridae from French waters are revised based on material available in French marine stations and newly collected specimens. This work is the third part of the Spaghetti Project aiming to revise French species of "Spaghetti" terebellid worms. It describes eight new species using both morphological (for all species) and molecular (for some species) tools: Amaeana gremarei n. sp., Polycirrus catalanensis n. sp., P. glasbyi n. sp., P. gujanensis n. sp., P. idex n. sp., P. nogueirai n. sp., P. pennarbedae n. sp. and P. readi n. sp., in addition to a previously described species. An identification key for European species of Polycirridae is also provided.

Barrios cerrados: patrones de localización de tipologías y modelos de estructura urbana. Caso de estudio: Ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) 1991-2010

En la Ciudad de Córdoba se verifica la materialización del modelo de fragmentación residencial que se daen varias ciudades latinoamericanas. El objetivo de este artículo es estudiar los patrones de localización de los barrios cerrados en la Ciudad de Córdoba para construir una matriz de análisis que permita discutir dichas transformaciones en el modelo de estructura urbana. La metodología de base empleada en este artículo es el análisis documental de documentos visuales, el mismo es realizado mediante herramientas de la morfología urbana. Los resultados permiten evidenciar la intensificación del modelo de fragmentación urbana entre 1990 y 2010, y su asentamiento casi exclusivo sobre los sectores de la ciudad con mayores ingresos. Lo anterior pone en disputa algunas de las nociones sobre la novedad de los modelos de estructura urbana en ciudades latinoamericanas a partir de los años 70.

Cuticular hydrocarbon pattern as a chemotaxonomy marker to assess six species of thrips

• Cuticular hydrocarbons of insects may be useful in the chemotaxonomy of species. • A Thermal Separation Probe was used to identify the cuticular hydrocarbons of thrips. • The cuticular hydrocarbons profiles of 6 species of thrip were obtained. • The finding could provide a possible method for the identification of thrips. Thrips constitute several families of slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouthparts. They have become globally important pests, infesting a variety of agriculturally important crops. Species of thrips are difficult to identify due to their small size and similarities in morphology. Recently, in addition to morphology, both molecular and non-molecular taxonomic tools have been used to identify species differences. Insect cuticular hydrocarbons have been widely used in chemotaxonomy. In this study, a Thermal Separation Probe was used to identify the cuticular hydrocarbons of Frankliniella occidentalis , Frankliniella intonsa , Thrips palmi , Thrips hawaiiensis , Haplothrips chinensis and Gynaikothrips ficorum . We analyzed the hydrocarbon composition of adults in all 6 species, and in the larvae of F. occidentali s, T. hawaiiensis and T. palmi . The results showed that the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons differed between species. All 6 species of adults and 3 species of larvae were easily distinguishable by quantitative analysis of hydrocarbon profiles. These results provide a possible method for the identification of thrips.

The use of morphological description in neighbourhood planning: form-based assessment of physical character and design rules

ABSTRACT Despite ongoing efforts to encourage the use of urban morphology tools into current practice, uptake remains limited. Shortcomings are largely attributed to time and resource intensive methods of historical settlement transformation study. However, developments in quantitative morphological approaches offer new possibilities for efficiency and easier adoption of research tools in practice. This paper proposes the use of typo-morphology methods to inform the adoption of form-based design guidance in neighbourhood master plans. The aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive yet flexible method for form-based character assessment (FBCA) of residential streets. The resulting FBCA classification identifies streets where compliance with form-based design rules could be tightened. The FBCA method is empirically tested in the context of the local neighbourhood plan for Radlett, Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, offering reflections from practice on the usefulness and limitations of the method.

Derivational Morphology of Assamese Lexical Word Categories

Word formation by derivation is very productive in Assamese. A significant amount of words in Assamese owe their origin to derivation. The analysis in this paper takes into account the derivational processes related with lexical word categories, and, numerous bound morphemes that are used in the derivational process in the language. This analysis helps us to understand some of the important aspects of Assamese morphology. These aspects are - role of class maintaining and class changing morphemes, derivation of word from synonyms, productivity of derivational morphemes, morphophonemic changes in root as a result of affixation of derivational morphemes, presence of allomorphs of various bound morphemes, ability of a morpheme to derive words from different word categories. The significance of this papers lies in the fact that these word formation processes could help develop morphological rules that can be used for developing computational morphological tools like- stemmer, spell checker, tagger etc.

Sex Differences in the Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii Revealed by a New Method to Investigate Volumetric Data

Comparing the relative volumes of body parts is a useful tool in morphology, but it is not trivial to do this in animals that differ in overall size. To account for scaling differences, a “reference size” has to be determined and the original absolute volumes have to be “corrected for” by this scaling reference. However, the outcome of a statistical analysis is greatly affected by this “reference size,” and it is practically impossible to determine the “overall size” of a structure independent of the changes in the relative size of the parts of it. Here, a new method is introduced to compare the relative volumes of parts that does not need a scaling reference. The method transforms the absolute part volumes into a ratio matrix (volume ratio transformation, VRT). The VRT is free of any scaling factors and can be used to compare groups of animals. This paper also reviews various other errors made frequently when comparing brain morphology between animals. Finally, the VRT is applied to investigate sex differences in the swordtail fish (Xiphophorus hellerii), which show profound differences in the size of the valvula cerebelli.

First report of Neophloeospora maculans causing leaf spots in Morus nigra and M. alba in Brazil

Mulberry (Morus spp.), represents a set of plants grown in Brazil for production of fruits, leaves for feeding silkworms and ruminant animals, and for landscape. In 2017 mulberry leaves with symptoms of spots were collected in Santa Catarina (SC) state and in the Distrito Federal (DF). Three fungal isolates obtained from M. nigra in DF and one isolate obtained from M. alba in SC state were characterized by both molecular and morphological tools. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolates were grouped with isolates belonging to the species Neophloeospora maculans. All isolates were pathogenic on leaves of M. nigra seedlings under greenhouse conditions and were re-isolated in pure culture, completing the Koch’s postulates. One isolate was morphologically characterized, and it showed colonies with slow growth, grayish-white color and conidia hyaline, septated, filiform, straight or curved, measuring 56 (25–70) × 4.5 (2.5–5) that confirms the molecular identification. This work reposts M. nigra as a new host of N. maculans in Brazil, as well as expands the geographic distribution of this fungus in the country. This information is potentially relevant for establishing effective disease management strategies.

Molecular evidence confirms occurrence of Rhipicephalus microplus Clade A in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundThe tick vector Rhipicephalus microplus which transmits Babesia spp. and rickettsial pathogens has not been reported in Kenya since 1998. More recently, the pathogenic Babesia bovis has been detected in cattle blood DNA. The status of R. microplus in Kenya remains unknown. This study employed morphological and molecular tools to characterize R. microplus originating from Kenya and assess the genetic relationships between Kenyan and other African R. microplus genotypes.MethodsTicks were collected in south-eastern Kenya (Kwale County) from cattle and characterized to investigate the existence of R. microplus. Genetic and phylogenetic relationships between the Kenyan and other annotated R. microplus reference sequences was investigated by analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. To further characterize Kenyan ticks, we generated low coverage whole genome sequences of two R. microplus, one R. decoloratus and R. appendiculatus. A B. bovis specific TaqMan probe qPCR assay was used to detect B. bovis in gDNA from R. microplus ticks.ResultsOccurrence of R. microplus was confirmed in Kwale County, Kenya. The Kenyan R. microplus cox1 sequences showed very high pairwise identities (> 99%) and clustered very closely with reference African R. microplus sequences. We found a low genetic variation and lack of geographical sub-structuring among the African cox1 sequences of R. microplus. Four complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes for two R. microplus, one R. decoloratus and one R. appendiculatus were assembled from next generation sequence data. The mitochondrial genome sequences of the two Kenyan R. microplus ticks clustered closely with reference genome sequences from Brazil, USA, Cambodia and India forming R. microplus Clade A. No B. bovis was detected in the Kwale R. microplus DNA.ConclusionsThese findings confirm the presence of R. microplus in Kenya and suggest that R. microplus Clade A is prevalent in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. These and other recent findings of widespread occurrence of R. microplus in Africa provide a strong justification for urgent surveillance to determine and monitor the spread of R. microplus and vector competence of Boophilus ticks for B. bovis in Africa, with the ultimate goal of strategic control.

An experimental study of the morphological evolution of pyrite under hydrothermal conditions and its implications

A hydrothermal experiment study on the morphological evolution of pyrite has been conducted to simulate the pyrite behaviors during the gold precipitation conditions (180–220 °C, S/Fe molar ratio is 4/1 to 1/1). The experiment products mainly consist of pyrrhotite and pyrite through X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The scanning electron microscopy results show that the pyrite morphology is related to the temperature and S/Fe molar ratio. When S/Fe molar ratio drops from 4/1 to 1/1 at 200 °C, the pyrite morphologies change from a combination of {210} and {111} to a combination of {111} and {100} or a single form such as {100}. When S/Fe molar ratio is 3/1 and temperature drops from 220 °C to 180 °C, the pyrite morphologies vary from a combination of {210} and {111} to a combination of {111} and {100} or a single form such as {100}. The grain sizes of pyrite are positively correlated with the pyrite proportion in the products. The morphological evolution of pyrite under experimental conditions is similar to the hydrothermal gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula, Shandong Province, China. The pyrite appears as {210} or a combination of two single forms under experimental conditions, consistent with the observations in gold-bearing hydrothermal mineralization. These results indicate that the pyrite morphologies could reflect the physicochemical conditions of the ore-bearing fluids, and provides a useful morphological typomorphism tool for gold exploration.

Species composition and relative abundance of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Romania

BackgroundCulicoides biting midges are vectors involved in the biological transmission cycle of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness. In Romania, the first outbreaks of bluetongue were reported in 2014, leading to increased activities within the existing entomological surveillance network. The main goals of the surveillance activities were the establishment of the vector free period in relation to animal trade and the identification of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of the pathogen. This study was conducted on the composition and relative abundance of the species belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in certain regions of Romania and provided the opportunity to update the existing checklist of Culicoides species of this country.MethodsThe study was conducted in 33 of the 42 administrative units (counties), including a total of 659 catches, in 102 locations. The collections were carried out with UV blacklight suction traps (OVI type). The collected insects were preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological insect identification was carried out using a stereomicroscope, according to established identification keys. In ten localities the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex was determined by multiplex PCR assay based on the ITS2 segment. The identification of the Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen) species by morphological examination was confirmed by PCR assay based on the ITS1 segment.ResultsEleven species were identified using morphological and PCR tools. The rest of the individuals were separated into five taxa. The species of the Obsoletus complex (grouping Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes & Kettle) were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the total number of captured Culicoides spp. Three of the identified species are mentioned, according to our knowledge, for the first time in Romania: Culicoides newsteadi Austen, Culicoides flavipulicaris Dzhafarov and Culicoides bysta Sarvašová, Kočisová, Candolfi & Mathieu.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the Culicoides species most commonly cited as being involved in the transmission of arboviruses in Europe (i.e. bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses) make up a high proportion of adult Culicoides trapped in Romania.

A revision of the French Telothelepodidae and Thelepodidae (Annelida, Terebelliformia), with descriptions of three species and first European record of a non-indigenous species.

Telothelepodidae and Thelepodidae from French waters are revised based on material available in French marine stations and newly collected specimens. This work is the second part of the Spaghetti Project aiming to revise French species of "Spaghetti" worms. It describes three new species using both morphological and molecular tools: Streblosoma cabiochi n. sp., Streblosoma lindsayae n. sp. and Thelepus corsicanus n. sp. This study also permitted us to detect the presence of an Asiatic species, Thelepus japonicus, in Arcachon Bay and Normandy, introduced via oysters transfers. An identification key for European species of both families is also provided.

Integrating morphological and genetic data at different spatial scales in a cosmopolitan marine turtle species: challenges for management and conservation

AbstractPatterns of genetic structure in highly mobile marine vertebrates may be accompanied by phenotypic variation. Most studies in marine turtles focused on population genetic structure have been performed at rookeries. We studied whether genetic and morphological variation of the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is consistent geographically, focusing on foraging grounds. An association between population genetic structure and body shape variation at broad (inter-lineage) and fine (foraging grounds) scales was predicted and analysed using mitochondrial DNA and geometric morphometrics. Although genetic and phenotypic differentiation patterns were congruent between lineages, no fine-scale association was found, suggesting adaptive divergence. Connectivity among Pacific foraging grounds found here suggests that temperatures of ocean surface currents may influence the genetic structure of C. mydas on a broad scale. Our results suggest that vicariance, dispersal, life-history traits and ecological conditions operating in foraging grounds have shaped the intraspecific morphology and genetic diversity of this species. Considering a range of geographic and temporal scales is useful when management strategies are required for cosmopolitan species. Integrating morphological and genetic tools at different spatial scales, conservation management is proposed based on protection of neutral and adaptive diversity. This approach opens new questions and challenges, especially regarding conservation genetics in cosmopolitan species.