Geometric vs. traditional morphometric methods for exploring morphological variation of tadpoles at early developmental stages
2019
Authors:
Ilić, MarijaJojić, Vida
Stamenković, Gorana
Marković, Vanja
Simić, Vladica
Paunović, Momir
Crnobrnja-Isailović, Jelka
Document Type:
Article (Accepted Version)
,
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2019
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
We conducted a comparative (2D landmark-based geometric and traditional) morphometric analysis on tadpoles at early developmental stages. Two species of brown frog (Rana dalmatina and R. temporaria) and the common toad (Bufo bufo) were involved, all raised in the laboratory from fertilized eggs collected in their natural habitat. Taxonomic identification was confirmed by the DNA barcoding method with the 16S rRNA sequence as the gene marker. Interested to compare the methodologies for quantification and description of morphological differences among tadpoles of mentioned species, we aimed to: 1) calculate interspecies genetic distances as the most relevant measurement for species differentiation, 2) determine and describe size and shape variation, 3) identify relationships among the analyzed species at the morphological level and 4) assess their classification accuracy. Within the framework of the specified aims, both methodologies produced very similar results, i.e., the smallest divergence was between R. dalmatina and R. temporaria, while the most discriminative were B. bufo and R. temporaria. However, we observed subtle shape variation of the distal region of the tail that was detected only by the geometric morphometrics. Our findings support the following. Geometric morphometric method captures more subtle shape differences that were unable to be recovered from linear measurements. It performs slightly better in classification rate. Although it was not quantified, it stands to reason that there is no difference in time investment between the two approaches. Geometric morphometrics provides more information that can be leveraged to answer further questions and it has a clear advantage in visualizing.
Note:
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Ilić M, Jojić V, Stamenković G, Marković V, Simić V, Paunović M, Crnobrnja-Isailović J. Geometric vs. traditional morphometric methods for exploring morphological variation of tadpoles at early developmental stages. Amphibia-Reptilia. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00001193.
Keywords:
Anurans; DNA barcoding; Linear morphometrics; Shape; SizeSource:
Amphibia-Reptilia, 2019, 40, 4, 499-509Funding / projects:
- Monitoring and Modeling of Rivers and Reservoirs (MORE) - Physical, Chemical, Biological and Morphodynamic Parameters (RS-MESTD-Technological Development (TD or TR)-37009)
- Biosensing Technologies and Global System for Long-Term Research and Integrated Management of Ecosystems (RS-MESTD-Integrated and Interdisciplinary Research (IIR or III)-43002)
- Evolution in Heterogeneous Environments: Adaptation Mechanisms, Biomonitoring and Conservation of Biodiversity (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173025)
- Genetic and phenetic diversity in natural populations across different environments - contribution of B chromosome polymorphism (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173003)
DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00001193
ISSN: 1568-5381