Comparison of body shape features of Kura barbel (Barbus lacerta, Heckel 1834) in Caspian, Tigris and Uremia Lake basins using geometric morphometrics technique

Document Type : Morphology

Authors

1 Biodiversity department, Environment Faculty, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

2 Fisheries Department, Fisheries department, University of Tehran, Karaj. Iran

3 Biodiversity department, Environment Faculty, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran., Iran.

Abstract

Study of morphological differences between populations of a species can help to better understanding of their ongoing evolutionary process. This study was conducted to study the morphological features of populations of Kura barbel (Barbus lacerta, Heckel 1834)from Caspian Sea, Tigris and Uremia Lake basins using landmark-based geometric morphometric technique. For this purpose, a total number of 160 specimens of Kura barbel were collected from the studying basins. After extracting body shape data in geometric morphometric method, obtained landmark data were superimposed by generalized Procrustes analysis, then analyzed by PCA, CVA with obtained p-value of permutation test and cluster analysis. Deformation patterns of each population was visualized in relation to consensus shape. The results showed a significant differences between studied populations in terms of body shape (P<0.0001). Based on landmark points shift patterns, specimens of Taleghan River bears smaller head depth and length, members of Totkabon River has short head, small body depth and posterior position of anal fin; specimens of Kloraz River has higher head depth and length, higher body depth; members of Hamill River showed higher head depth and length, higher body depth and shorter and lower depth of caudal peduncle and finally, those of Zarinehrood River possesses small and low depth of head and anterior position of dorsal fin. Based on the cluster analysis populations of Taleghan, Totkabon and Kloraz Rivers (Caspian Sea basin) positioned in same branch and population of Hamill River (Tigris basin) located perfectly in a distinct group.  

Keywords

Journal of Animal Environment
Volume 7, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
April 2016
Pages 143-150

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