engleski

Morphometric variability of Niphargus hebereri (Crustacea Amphipoda Niphargidae) from anchihaline caves in Croatia.

Morphometric variability among twelve populations of Niphargus hebereri S. Karaman from anchihaline caves in Croatia was studied. The present contribution deals also with the redescription of N. hebereri. Samples of the amphipod N. hebereri were collected during short-term studies on the distribution and ecology of subterranean crustaceans between 2001 and 2005. Both sexes of N. hebereri are redescribed in detail on the basis of material from the Cave Punta Corente in Rovinj near type locality (Istra region). Additional morphological data, based on material from the middle part (Kornati Islands) and the most southern part (Brač Island) of their distribution range are present. Each individual was analyzed to quantify body size, and the number of spines in the first maxilla, third uropod and telson. Intra- and interpopulation variations of one morphometric and eighteen meristic variables were analyzed through descriptive statistics, bivariate (Sperman Rank Correlation test) and multivariate analysis (Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Functions Analysis). The Principal Components Analysis was not able to separate two out of three different populations, revealing a strong interpopulation similarity in the studied variables. The geographical distribution of N. hebereri was also reviewed.

Niphargus hebereri; morphometric variables; meristic variables; distribution

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