Investigation of the morphological variation in populations of Stenus erythrocnemus (Col.: Staphylinidae) in Iran

Species with wide distribution ranges usually exhibit broad morphological diversity in response to gradient of biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of this study was to compare morphological variation among populations of Stenus erythrocnemus in Iran. Measuring of fourteen morphological characters such as ocular distance, elytra length, femur length etc. of ۷۱ specimens from Ilam (Eyvan), Guilan (Asalem), Fars (Dasht Arjan) and Lorestan (Nour Abad) provinces were carried out. In order to measurement of characters, slides were prepared and photos were taken and distances were measured on images in ImageJ software. The analysis of morphological data was done using SPSS software and analyzed by ANOVA, MANOVA, PCA, DFA and cluster analysis. The results of one-way ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference between ۹ relative characters (p<۰.۰۵). Principal Component Analysis revealed three main components, which accounted for ۷۰.۹۷% of the total variance. The separation of Ilam and Lorestan populations from Gilan and Fars was confirmed by PCA and CVA analysis. The ecological factors can affect the morphological characteristics, therefore, the morphological differences among populations could be due to differences in habitat characteristics that species live in it. Thus, with morphological flexibility, the organisms can increase their chances of survive in a habitat.

کلیدواژه ها:

Morphological flexibility ، Cluster analysis ، PCA ، Habitat ، Stenus