engleski

Fluctuating asymmetry and shape analysis on Poecilus koyi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Mediterranean agroecosystems of Croatia

Bilaterally symmetrical morphological traits are overly common in animals. Still, most animals can deviate from expected symmetry and show various levels of asymmetry. Therefore, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is often used as a relatively simple method for assessment of biologically significant stress at both individual and population levels. It is based on measuring small random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry for evaluation of developmental instability due to different environmental stress factors. Ground beetles occupy higher trophic niches and are easily affected by changes in environmental conditions, e.g. after intensive use of pesticides in agroecosystems, either directly through exposure or/and via reduction of prey. Poecilus koyi is one of the dominant ground beetle species found in vineyards and olive orchards with ecological or integrated pest management in Zadar county, Croatia. Its predatory behavior could have an important ecological role of sustaining stability of pest populations in these ecosystems. Geometric morphometrics will be used to analyze shape variation and left/right asymmetries in the pronotum and abdomen of Poecilus koyi. Main aim of the study is to determine and explain morphological differences and FA levels between populations from ecosystems with different pest management type, and sexes in this species.

geometric morphometrics, predators, olive orchards, vineyards, agricultural management type, pesticides

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