Marzieh Beygom Faghir, Atefe Ahmadi Gorji, Mehdi Heydari,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Floral morphology of 24 species of the genus Alchemilla in Iran was studied by means of light and digital mi-croscopes. Flower samples were collected from different species and their morphological traits, including hypanthium, calyx, epicalyx, pedicels, ovaries and stamens, were measured. The most useful features for the separation of species were turned out to be the calyx shape and length, trichomes position on calyx and pedicle. Principal Component Anal-ysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were used to determine the potential contribution of floral morphological char-acters in the expression of species relationships. A total of 17 qualitative and quantitative characters were utilized in both analyses. The results of UPGMA and PCA methods were found to be consistent and in agreement with current classifications.
Ali Reza Radkhah, Soheil Eagderi, Hadi Poorbagher, Hashem Nowferesti,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 is considered as one of the non-native and invasive species in the inland waters of Iran. This species occurs in most inland basins and aquatic bodies of Iran and has even been found in brackish waters. Extensive adaptations of this species to its different habitats caused numerous changes in its biological characteristics and morphological traits. The present study was performed to investigate the sexual dimorphism of G. holbrooki in the Gamasiab River, Kermanshah Province, Iran. 59 fish specimens were collected from the river in September 2017. After taxonomic confirmation and sex determination, 29 morphological traits were measured in fish samples using a caliper and their meristic traits were recorded. In total, 37 characters (including 8 meristic traits and 29 morphometric traits) were examined. After obtaining morphological data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were utilized to compare morphological traits between male and female individuals. The results showed that the 59 specimens were comprised of 30 malea and 29 femalea. On the basis of the results, all morphological traits, except the caudal peduncle length, dorsal fin base length and a post-anal length, showed significant sexual dimorphism (p <0.05). The results of DFA and PCA analysis showed that males and females were completely different from each other in terms of morphometric traits. These findings indicate that there is a sexual dimorphism in G. holbrooki of the Gamasiab River. The sexual dimorphism observed in this fish species is due to the sexual selection and increase of reproductive success.
