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Is there a better chela to use for geometric morphometric differentiation in brachyuran crabs? A case study using Pachygrapsus marmoratus and Carcinus maenas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2008

Inês C. Silva  and
José Paula
Inês C. Silva*
Affiliation:
IMAR—Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada do Guincho, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
José Paula
Affiliation:
IMAR—Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada do Guincho, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Inês Cristóvão Silva Laboratório Marítimo da GuiaFaculdade de Ciências da Universidade de LisboaEstrada do Guincho, 2750-374 CascaisPortugal email: micsilva@fc.ul.pt
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Abstract

Landmark-based geometric morphometric methods were used to test which chela is most suitable to use in population differentiation of brachyuran crabs. Two species were analysed: Pachygrapsus marmoratus, a homochelous species, and Carcinus maenas, a heterochelous species. Variance analysis of shape variables and of each chela was calculated to determine which claw presents less variation within populations. The results showed that the right chela of P. marmoratus is more appropriate to use when the goal is to differentiate populations. In C. maenas, the males major chela and females right chela are more suitable to use, probably due to its heterochely. To test these results, specimens from different geographical locations were compared. Pachygrapsus marmoratus populations presented significant differences in manus shape, and C. maenas populations had differences in polex size and shape. Differences in carapace shape were also encountered between populations of both species. This phenotypic variation was not corroborated with genetic data, which were obtained using the mitochondrial DNA gene cytochrome oxidase I as a marker. These opposite results suggest that environmental factors, such as diet and parasitism, can be determining shape differentiation.

Keywords

chelageometric morphometric differentiationbrachyuran crabsPachygrapsus marmoratusCarcinus maenas
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Issue 5 , August 2008 , pp. 941 - 953
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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