Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems
The taxonomy of freshwater crabs requires a paradigm change in methodological approaches, particularly in investigations that use morphological techniques. The traditional morphometric approach (two-dimensional measurements) tends to be inappropriate for the identification of freshwater crabs due to...
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| Format: | Article |
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PeerJ Inc.
2019-02-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/6205.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797418723053666304 |
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| author | Jongkar Grinang Indraneil Das Peter K.L. Ng |
| author_facet | Jongkar Grinang Indraneil Das Peter K.L. Ng |
| author_sort | Jongkar Grinang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The taxonomy of freshwater crabs requires a paradigm change in methodological approaches, particularly in investigations that use morphological techniques. The traditional morphometric approach (two-dimensional measurements) tends to be inappropriate for the identification of freshwater crabs due to their variable external morphology and lack of gonopods (conventionally used for the identification of male crabs) in females. In this study, we explore the potential use of the geometric morphometric technique for identification of female freshwater crabs, and identify taxonomic key characteristics of species. The shape of the carapace could be a good characteristic for the identification of female crabs, especially when the geometric morphometric technique is used. It was observed that the shape of the carapace has an advantage over the shape of the pleon and chela because its relatively flat orientation allows more consistent and easier data preparation for geometric morphometric analysis. The geometric morphometric technique is inexpensive, relatively less time consuming to employ, and accurate. This technique is convenient when dissection to examine the gonopods is not possible, which can damage the specimen in the case of endangered or rare species. Since the technique was used herein for only two species, more compelling and extensive evidence is needed before the reliability of the method can be proven. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:37:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-43a9f9bbea9c401ca4159d5e5264f8c5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:37:05Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-43a9f9bbea9c401ca4159d5e5264f8c52023-12-03T10:55:36ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592019-02-017e620510.7717/peerj.6205Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problemsJongkar Grinang0Indraneil Das1Peter K.L. Ng2Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaLee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeThe taxonomy of freshwater crabs requires a paradigm change in methodological approaches, particularly in investigations that use morphological techniques. The traditional morphometric approach (two-dimensional measurements) tends to be inappropriate for the identification of freshwater crabs due to their variable external morphology and lack of gonopods (conventionally used for the identification of male crabs) in females. In this study, we explore the potential use of the geometric morphometric technique for identification of female freshwater crabs, and identify taxonomic key characteristics of species. The shape of the carapace could be a good characteristic for the identification of female crabs, especially when the geometric morphometric technique is used. It was observed that the shape of the carapace has an advantage over the shape of the pleon and chela because its relatively flat orientation allows more consistent and easier data preparation for geometric morphometric analysis. The geometric morphometric technique is inexpensive, relatively less time consuming to employ, and accurate. This technique is convenient when dissection to examine the gonopods is not possible, which can damage the specimen in the case of endangered or rare species. Since the technique was used herein for only two species, more compelling and extensive evidence is needed before the reliability of the method can be proven.https://peerj.com/articles/6205.pdfFreshwater crabGeometric morphometricsIsolapotamonTaxonomy |
| spellingShingle | Jongkar Grinang Indraneil Das Peter K.L. Ng Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems PeerJ Freshwater crab Geometric morphometrics Isolapotamon Taxonomy |
| title | Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems |
| title_full | Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems |
| title_fullStr | Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems |
| title_short | Geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of Sarawak (Borneo) permits addressing taxonomy-related problems |
| title_sort | geometric morphometric analysis in female freshwater crabs of sarawak borneo permits addressing taxonomy related problems |
| topic | Freshwater crab Geometric morphometrics Isolapotamon Taxonomy |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/6205.pdf |
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