Morphometric Characters Research Articles

Length-weight relationships and biometry analysis of saddled seabream, Oblada melanurus (Linnaeus, 1758) in İzmir Bay (Central Aegean Sea of Türkiye)

The present study presents length-weight, length-length, length-girth relationships, and biometry of male and female specimens of saddled seabream, Oblada melanurus(Linnaeus, 1758), in the Turkish Aegean Sea. The length-length and length-weight relationships were calculated by measuring 516 individuals. The total length values of all male and female O. melanurus specimens were in the range of 17.2-30.7 and 18.5-30.0 cm, respectively, and the mean values were 21.84±2.04 and 22.44±2.12 cm, respectively. The length-weight relationships were W=0.0110TL3.057 for males, W=0.0114TL3.043 for females, and W=0.0089TL3.122 for all the specimens. The results denoted a high correlation (r²=0.966; p<0.001) in the length-length relationships. Furthermore, 287 individuals (105 females and 182 males) were examined for length-girth relationships and biometric analyses. Ten morphometric characters were analyzed to analyze biometry. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences were determined in morphology between the sexes (p<0.05).

A new species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phuket Island, Thailand with a discussion of the group’s potential biogeography

Model based integrative analyses supports the recognition of a new species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group from Phuket Island, Thailand. Cyrtodactylus thalang sp. nov. is most closely related to the sister species C. brevipalmatus from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and C. cf. brevipalmatus from Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the mitochondrial gene ND2, C. thalang sp. nov. bears an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 14.7% and 15.1% from C. cf. brevipalmatus and C. brevipalmatus, respectively, significantly different (p<0.05) mean values of meristic and morphometric characters, and discrete categorical morphological differences. A multiple factor analysis morphospatially statistically placed C. thalang sp. nov. well outside all other species of the brevipalmatus group. The BAYAREALIKE model of a BioGeoBEARS analysis indicated the origin of the brevipalmatus group was in western Indochina with subsequent south to north speciation along the Tenasserim Mountains followed by a west to east invasion of northern Thailand, Laos, and northwestern Vietnam northeast of the Chao Phraya Basin and north of the Khorat Plateau.

A new possible breeding site of <i>Alosa fallax</i> (Lacépède 1803) (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Alosidae) on the Tyrrhenian coast of Central Italy

The River Mignone (Tarquinia, Viterbo, central Italy) is one of the best preserved watercourses in Lazio. Here, in April and May of the years 2020-2023, a conspicuous contingent of Alosa fallax (Lacépède 1803) was reported. The frenetic behaviour of the individuals observed, some of which showed swollen bellies and considerable size, suggested that this watercourse may represent a potential new breeding station for this threatened migratory euryhaline fish species. The correct recognition of the sex of A. fallax in the field, problematic during the breeding season, is crucial for understanding its population structure as indicators of possible reproduction. To this end, statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U-test) of 20 morphometric measurements made on individuals captured and subsequently released revealed significant differences between the sexes for seven morphometric characters, confirming a sex ratio compatible with reproduction. However, the presence of a transverse dam with no fish ladder and the dispersion of biocides from farmland in the final stretch may represent a serious threat to effective reproduction.

Increasing the species diversity of the monotypic genus Pariolius Cope 1872 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) after more than 150 years

Pariolius is a heptapterid genus represented by P. armillatus that is distributed along the upper Amazon River basin. A taxonomic integrative revision of Pariolius from Colombian Rivers revealed two new species. Several approaches as morphological, morphometric, meristic, osteology and molecular data were used to distinguish between Pariolius species. The two new species are distinguished from congeners by the caudal-fin shape and numbers of rays, colorations patterns and several morphometric characters. The two new species of Pariolius are restricted to tributaries of the Upper Orinoco and Upper Negro rivers in Colombia.

Middle Pleistocene Hippopotamus amphibius (Mammalia, Hippopotamidae) from southern Europe: Implications for morphology, morphometry and biogeography

Hippopotamuses were present in Western Europe during the Pleistocene with at least two continental species: Hippopotamus antiquus and H. amphibius. The former was the large European hippopotamus, which appeared in the fossil record around 2 Ma and successfully spread across Europe before its last appearance datum (LAD) in Portugal and Greece, dated to 0.4 Ma. The extant hippopotamus, H. amphibius, first occurred in Africa around 1.5 Ma, and was well-established in Europe during the Late Pleistocene; however, its first occurrence datum (FOD) in Europe is still highly debated. Most of the H. amphibius remains collected from Middle Pleistocene localities are either badly preserved and fragmented or lacking clear stratigraphical data, in turn leading to doubtful specific attributions. A well-preservedmandible herein described, collected from Fosso Malafede (Latium, central Italy), allows to re-assess the occurrence of H. amphibius and to critically revise its earliest records. The morphological and morphometric characters of the studied remain, such as the general robustness of the studied mandible, the convex ventral profile of the mandibular corpus, the length of the teeth series, and the shape of the sagittal cross section of the mandibular symphysis, allow us to ascribe it to Hippopotamus amphibius. Fosso Malafede has been chronologically assigned to MIS 7 (∼0.25 Ma) and represents one of the best preserved H. amphibius specimen of the Middle Pleistocene of the European mainland. Accordingly, we discuss biochronological and paleobiogeographic implications, suggesting a critical revision of several remains from the Middle Pleistocene of southern Europe.

Study Of Morphometric Characters And Heavy Metals Detection In Knifefish (Notopterous Notopterous) Sampled From River Ravi, Pakistan

Study Of Morphometric Characters And Heavy Metals Detection In Knifefish (Notopterous Notopterous) Sampled From River Ravi, Pakistan

Morphometric and taxonomic approach to describe Heterospio variabilis (Annelida, Longosomatidae), a new species with three size-dependent morphotypes, from the Gulf of California, Eastern Pacific.

The Longosomatidae, a poorly known polychaete family, includes only 23 recognized species; in this study, based on morphometric and taxonomic analyses, we describe a new species with three morphotypes: Heterospio variabilis from the Gulf of California, Mexico. The specimens examined exhibit large morphological variations but were clearly separated from close species due to a unique combination of morphological characters: chaetiger 9 as the first elongated chaetiger, four to eight branchial pairs; chaetae from chaetiger 10 forming rings in two rows, posterior row with thin and robust capillaries, anterior row with subuluncini, aristate spines, acicular spines and thick acicular spines. With the discriminant analysis, carried out on 11 morphometric characters, the presence of three morphological groups were recognized (Wilks' lambda= 0.093, p = 0.0001). However, the variables selected to discriminate the specimens (partial Wilks' lambda >0.57) were correlated to their size: number of branchiae, body width, prostomium width, rate length CH9/CH1-CH8, length CH1-CH8 and length CH9 (r>0.5). So, we concluded that they belong to a single species with three morphotypes: morpho A with eight branchial pairs, morpho B with 5-6-7 pairs and morpho C with 4 pairs. No correlations between the distribution of the distinct morphotypes along the eastern gulf shelf and the environmental conditions where they settle were detected.

Identification of long-preserved specimens reveals the historical geographic range of the Patagonian lamprey Geotria macrostoma (Burmeister, 1868) in southern South America.

The lamprey genus Geotria Gray, 1851 currently includes only two species: G. australis and G. macrostoma. However, taxonomic relationships within the genus have traditionally been ambiguous and difficult to establish due to the extreme changes in morphology, dentition, and coloration that lampreys undergo during their life cycles, particularly during upstream migration and sexual maturation. Consequently, several lamprey specimens held in museum collections have remained unidentified, especially those from Argentina. In this study, a series of morphometric characters were subjected to discriminant function analysis (DFA) to identify the lamprey species collected during 1867-2004 from the de la Plata River and Patagonia. These specimens are housed at the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" in Buenos Aires, the Museo de Historia Natural de Montevideo, and the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet in Stockholm. Based on the proportions of the length of the oral disc, prebranchial, and pre-caudal body regions, and the depth of the trunk, DFA provided conclusive evidence that the specimens corresponded to the recently revalidated G. macrostoma (Burmeister, 1868), which was originally incorrectly named as Petromyzon macrostomus Burmeister, 1868, Exomegas macrostomus (Berg, 1899), Geotria chilensis (Berg, 1895), and Geotria macrostoma f. gallegensis Smitt, 1901, as well as other nontype museum individuals of uncertain taxonomic status. The identifications of these long-preserved museum specimens provided key information on the historical geographic range of Argentinian lampreys and suggest that the disappearance of the species reported from northern localities (the Pampean Region) can be attributed to the degradation of their critical habitats, primarily caused by anthropogenic impact and climate change.

First record of nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by Cephalopina titillator (Clark, 1816) in camel (Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758) in Uzbekistan

Nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by the camel nasal bot, Cephalopina titillator, is very common in old world camelids and is usually found at necropsy or during meat inspection. Herein we report massive infection with C. titillator in a 9 years old female one-humped camel slaughtered on February 18, 2024 in the village of Kizil Uy, Nukus District, Republic of Karakalpakstan, northwestern Uzbekistan. A total of 69 larvae: 20 first stage larva (28.9%), 31 second stage larva (44.9%), and 18 third stage larva (26.0%) were detected in the nasal passages and pharynx of the camel. Morphological and morphometrical characters of all larval stages are illustrated and detailed in this article. To our knowledge this is the first record of camel nasal bot infestation in Uzbekistan. Future epidemiological studies are needed to shed light on the prevalence, seasonal fluctuation, clinical impact and economic burden of nasopharyngeal myiasis in dromedary camels of the country.

Prebosphoric occurrence of Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 in southwestern Black Sea with notes on its morphometry and dispersal potential

On 21 December 2023 one specimen of Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 have been captured by means of a commercial bottom trawler towed at a depth of 30 m off Şile coast. Following its first occurrence in Turkish Black Sea waters off Giresun coast on 6 March 2023, it has recently reported from the Sea of Marmara (Gulf of İzmit) on 7 January 2024, exhibiting a noteworthy dispersal speed which required less than one year to migrate across nearly a 1,000 km. Therefore, the dispersal and potential interactions with indigenous species of this invasive teleostean along theTurkish coast should be monitored carefully. In the present article, authors provide full morphometric and meristic characters of S. schlegelii, as well.

Karakteristik Biologi dan Kelimpahan Rajungan (Portunus pelagicus) di Sekitar Perairan Sumenep

The high demand for the crab export market has resulted in the crab commodity experiencing a decline and leading to exploitation. Prediction of crab stocks in Sumenep Regency is minimal due to a need for further information regarding crab data. This study aims to determine the biological characteristics of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), limiting blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), and water quality characteristics around Sumenep. Research methods is observation methods or directly contact fishermen. Data collection included blue swimming crab biology, including morphometric aspects, which consisted of measurements of carapace width, carapace length, weight, and level of gonadal maturity. Data collection for water quality parameters used the insitu method at each research location. The results of this study were variations in the morphometric characters of the crabs in the distribution of the carapace width of the male crabs found in class 121-138 mm, as many as 137 individuals, while the female crabs were found in class 121-138 mm as many as 136 individuals, the distribution of size class based on the length of the female crab in class 60 .42-68.42mm as many as 112 people. The size class distribution of male crabs was mainly found in the 51.42-59.42mm class of 96 individuals; the distribution of size classes based on the weight in male crabs in the 126-157 gram class was 65 individuals. The size class of female swimming crabs was found in the 158-189 gram class; as many as 67 individuals applied for crabs around Sumenep. Based on the crab data collection at the first location, Talango was 289 ind/700 cm2, the second location was Tanjung Saronggi, 65 and/700 cm2, and in the third location, Gili Genting, there was as much as 104 ind/700 cm2. The waters of Tanjung Saronggi are a location that has more male crabs than female crabs. The air quality characteristics around Sumenep waters are categorized as optimal for blue swimming crab habitat.

Evaluation of Groundnut Advanced Lines on the Basis of Morphometric Characters

An experiment titled “Evaluation of groundnut advanced lines on the basis of morphometric characters” was conducted at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad to evaluate the different traits of groundnut genotypes during the kharif season of 2021. Twelve different genotypes of groundnut were assessed in this trial. The experiment was conducted according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. All plot contained of three rows each having a length of four meters and row to row distance of 45 cm. Similarly, within each row, a plant to plant distance of 15 cm was maintained. Altogether the agronomic applies were kept constant throughout the experiment. Data were recorded on ten different parameters that included plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf length (cm) and leaf width (cm). The experimental results revealed that the maximum plant height was 53.267 cm recorded in genotype PG-1302 while the lowest plant height was 32.033 cm that was observed for genotype PG-1294. The maximum stem diameter was 4.7333 cm that was observed for PG-1302, while the minimum was 3.6333 cm in case of genotype PG-1294. Maximum leaf length was recorded for PG-1302 which was 6.2333 cm while the lowest one was 4.8000 cm found in BARI-2011 genotype. The maximum leaf width was 2.4667 cm exhibited by PG-1302, while the minimum value was 2.0000 cm in genotype PG-1296. Among all the lines of groundnut PG-1302 is best in term of biomass and in term of yield PG-1267 is performed best. So the recommendation is for high yield production is the variety PG-1267 is best

First case of a reversed Parabothus taiwanensis Amaoka & Shen, 1993 from Taiwan (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae), with first evidence of situs inversus viscerum in bothid.

Reversed condition is rarely found in most flatfishes in natural environment, except for some certain species. The mechanism controlling the reversals in flatfishes has been studied in some cultivated species, whereas some have only few cases for the entire family and remain unclear. Here, we report the first record of a dextral (reversed) specimen of Parabothus taiwanensis Amaoka & Shen, 1993 collected off southwestern Taiwan recently. It represents the second reversed case ever recorded in Bothidae. We aim to provide a detailed description of this dextral specimen and compared to the sinistral (normal) specimens collected from the vicinity. Specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde and transferred to 70% ethanol for preservation. Meristic and morphometric characters were examined for both dextral and sinistral specimens. Dissections were made on specimens to confirm the position of internal organs. Lastly, X-radiographs were taken to elucidate the osteological features. As a result, no differences of both meristic and morphometric characters were observed between the dextral and sinistral specimens. Nevertheless, situs inversus viscerum is discovered in the dextral specimen for the first time in Bothidae and the sixth record within flatfishes.

Kinship relationship of Uroteuthis chinensis in the waters of western Kalimantan and northern Java based on morphometric characters and genetic structure

Uroteuthis chinensis was a squid species with a wide distribution and rapid reproduction. It was commonly found in the waters of western Kalimantan and northern Java, which were the highest squid fishing grounds in Indonesia. Exploitation of U. chinensis in these waters was intensive and increasing, which might have affected the sustainability of U. chinensis squid resources. Therefore, proper and responsible management was needed to maintain the sustainability of this squid resource. For exploitation to be sustainable and optimal, management based on stock units of the managed resources was required. Therefore, information was needed on the stock units of U. chinensis squid in the western waters of Kalimantan and northern Java. Currently, the Indonesian government has separated the management of these two interconnected waters. The method used was to analyze 12 morphometric characters and genetic structures with COI and Rhodopsin markers. Sampling locations included the Sungailiat and Pontianak, for the waters of western Kalimantan, Jakarta, Pekalongan, and Lamongan for the waters of northern Java. Morphometric data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) approaches. Genetic analysis (COI and Rhodopsin) included genetic diversity, AMOVA, and haplotype distribution. The results of the morphometric analysis showed that the 12 morphometric size characters in this study showed a close relationship between the five U. chinensis sample populations. Genetic variation between populations and FST values on COI and Rhodopsin showed very low values; P-values also showed results that were not significantly different between populations. The haplotype distribution of both COI and Rhodopsin showed almost the same composition in both observed waters. The results of these analyses suggested that U. chinensis species in both waters showed indications of connectivity and close kinship or could be regarded as a single stock. Therefore, collaborative management across fisheries management areas in both waters (western Kalimantan and northern Java) was required.

Morphological characteristic and truss morphometric analysis of amphidromous goby (‘nike') (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) in Bone River, Gorontalo, Indonesia

Abstract. Pasisingi N, Suci D, Panigoro C, Kadim MK. 2024. Morphological characteristic and truss morphometric analysis of amphidromous goby (‘nike') (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) in Bone River, Gorontalo, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 223-231. One of the preferred fish resources in the Gorontalo region is amphidromous goby species, commonly known by local community as nike fish. In rivers, at the adult stage, these fish are morphologically and potentially morphometrically not necessarily distinguishable among species and between sexes. This research aimed to identify the morphological and morphometric truss characters that distinguish the sexual characteristics of goby fishes in the Bone River, Gorontalo. Fish samples were purposefully collected from eight sites along the river, spanning from upstream to downstream, using a backpack electrofishing device. Sampling occurred in March and November 2022, with morphological analysis and measurements conducted on 336 individuals. The morphometric method measured data from 13 points on the sample body, forming 28 combinations of truss distance characters (A1-A3; B1-B12; C1-C10; D1-D3) connecting these points. Morphologically, the samples were identified as three species, namely Sicyopterus longifilis, Belobranchus belobranchus, and Awaous grammepomus. This study revealed distinctions in morphological characters between male and female individuals. In S. longifilis, males exhibited a relatively slimmer body shape compared to the rounded form of females. Male B. belobranchus displayed more striking coloration than females, while male A. grammepomus featured a lighter brown body color than the paler females. All the morphometric truss characters in this study can be reliably used as a sexual distinguishing characteristic in S. longifilis. As for species B. belobranchus, B7 truss cannot be considered a differentiator. In A. grammepomus, thirteen truss characters (B3, B4, B6, B7, B8, B10, B12, C3, C6, C7, C9, C10, D1) cannot be used to differentiate males and females.

Objective identification of Lepidocyclina (Foraminifera) species from the Eocene of Cuba based on growth-invariant morphometric characters

Megalospheric specimens of Lepidocyclina from seven localities in western and central Cuba were morphometrically investigated using 11 growth-independent characters for equatorial sections of nepionts and 19 growth-independent and invariant characters describing equatorial sections of neanic chamberlets. This provides a complete geometric reconstruction of the equatorial morphology for lepidocyclinids. Specimens were objectively (to be precise, intersubjectively) classified by clustering and ordination methods resulting in four morphologically homogenous groups. These unprejudiced groups are then subjectively identified as Lepidocyclina macdonaldi, L. pustulosa, L. ariana and L. ocalana following the taxonomic rules and checked for significant differences. The D/P-ratio (deuteroconch/protoconch) separates L. ocalana (D/P ≥ 1) from L. pustulosa (D/P ≅ 1), L. macdonaldi and L. ariana (D/P < 1). The form of neanic chamberlets differentiates both L. macdonaldi and L. pustulosa possessing arcuate chamberlets from L. ariana and L. ocalana with spatulate chamberlets. The smaller sized characters isolate L. pustulosa from the other species. Lepidocyclina macdonaldi has the longest stratigraphical range occurring from ABZ 9 to ABZ 16 (American larger Benthic foraminifera Zonation). Lepidocyclina ariana is restricted to ABZ 12, while L. pustulosa and L. ocalana range from ABZ 13 to ABZ 16 and ABZ 15 to ABZ 16, respectively. An evolutionary trend could be detected in nepionts of L. macdonaldi starting from slightly smaller nepionts at the first appearance to significantly larger nepionts at the end of the Priabonian. Additionally, the arcuate chamberlets arranged in rows transform from not connected to connected. Differences within L. ocalana can be explained by environmental influences due to the palaeogeographical position of samples.

Prevalence history of morphological variants of Cerataulina resting spores in Indian Sundarbans and resultant phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Fifteen morphological variants of resting spores of the diatom Cerataulina are presented with morphometric characters and presence in different habitats over spatial and temporal regimes in the Indian Sundarbans. Spatial regime includes phytoplankton assemblages, river-bank surface sediments and different depths of short sediment cores of adjacent deltaic landmasses. The temporal regime spans a period of 2000 years BP to present times. Though Cerataulina is sporadically mentioned in a few publications as a planktonic form in the Sundarbans, this is the first report of its different resting spores from different habitats. The 14C dating and calculated age within sediment cores suggest their existence in the system for 1996 years BP. Interestingly, even with the significant prevalence of resting spores throughout the spatial and temporal ranges, the live vegetative stage could only occasionally be documented in the phytoplankton assemblages over a period of 9 years from February 2013 to March 2023. The morphological variations of Cerataulina resting spores were subjected to cluster analysis using Dice’s Similarity Coefficient, based on the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean to indicate phylogenetic relationships. The results highlight two main clusters of resting spore morphotypes, namely Cerataulina bicornis (syn = Cerataulina daemon) and Syringidium simplex.

A New Record of the Squid Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856 (Cephalopoda, Myopsida, Loliginidae) from the Coastal Waters of Iraq

The present study included the collection of 50 squids using trawls net from two sites in the coastal waters of Iraq, northwest Arabian Gulf. The first site located in Khor Abdullah and the second site located in Khor Al-Umaiya. The samples are part of the marine biology materials of the Basrah Pearling cruse carried by the Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, during the period from June 20th to July 4th 2012.Based on morphometric characters, and the recent taxonomic keys, it was verified that the squid species is Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856 (Cephalopoda, Myopsida, Loliginidae). The species is a new record of the Iraqi marine waters and the northwest Arabian Gulf in general.

Discriminatory of some morphometry and biological aspects of the Cycad blue butterfly, Chilades pandava reared on Cycas and Zamia ornamental palms.

The serious blue butterfly, Chilades pandava -Horsfield, 1829- (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is consider one of the main destructive insect pests for ornamental palms Cycas and Zamia. Biological and morphological measurements were carried out of C. pandava stages reared on Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) and Zamia encephalartoides (Zamiaceae). In description details, non-significant variations were recorded between the two gender of cycad blue butterfly in the obtained data, but the male adult was more densely blue or violet than female adult. By the aid of SEM, C. pandava all stages were distinct by long and thick hairs covered all the body. The morphometric characters namely, length, width and venation of wings, body length, forewing, hindwing could be as a guide for taxonomic discrimination. The data showed that the life cycle duration of C. pandava was ranged between 20.64 to 21.7 days. The developmental periods of different C. pandava stages are slightly higher on zamia than cycas palms. This investigation detected that a high survival rate was found on Cycas palms (86%) than the survived rate recording on Zamia palms (82%). In the present study, the described morphometric characters could be used as a guide for taxonomic discrimination of this pest. Consequently, this study added a valuable knowledge about C. pandava to have sound decisions for proposal of its management and conservation in Egypt.

Study of some morphometric and meristic characteristics of Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) collected from the Arabian coast.

The present study examines the correlations between fifteen morphometric and ten meristic characters and total length (TL) of males, females, and combined sexes of Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) collected from Karachi fish harbor, West Wharf of Karachi Coast. Statistical analyses of linear regression relationships show mostly strong correlations (r≥0.70; p<0.05) between total length (TL) and most morphometric characters in males, females, and combined sexes, except the height of pectoral-fin (PFH), and pelvic-fin base length (PelFL); whereas, meristic characters were found to be constant and indicate weak or negative type correlations (r≤0.50; p>0.05) with total length (TL). Hence, according to our present results, there is a direct relationship between the total length of fish and all morphometric characters, which were found to be the best indicators of positive allometric pattern growth in fish. Moreover, analysis of the 2-sample t-test revealed (t-test; p>0.05) that no sexual dimorphism was reported in Alepes vari. Thus, our present study could be valuable in systematic classification, sexual dimorphism, and management of this species on the Karachi coast.