Sexual Dimorphism in the Shell Shape of the Golden Apple Snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) Using Geometric Morphometric Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and mathematics, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines

Abstract

It has been accounted that the extent of sexual dimorphism in Pomacea
canaliculata, a serious rice pest in Asia, has caused considerable taxonomic
confusion. This study was conducted to explore possible sexual shell dimorphism in
P. canaliculata by the aid of geometric morphometric measurements, since traditional
measurements have problems in terms of accuracy. Relative Warp Analysis and
Discriminant Function Analysis have been used in the study to determine patterns of
sexual shell dimorphism in the golden apple snail. Results demonstrated sexual
differences in size, spire height, and shell opening. These morphological differences
could be attributed to ecological responses of the gastropod. The results clearly
indicate that geometric morphometric methods are useful in detecting subtle
differences between sexes.
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology
Volume 4, Issue 1
December 2012
Pages 39-46

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