Detecting morphospecies diversity within Systomus lateristriga using meristic, morphometrics and truss network analysis

Abstract

A total of 100 specimens of Systomus lateristriga from 13 localities of 5 states (Terengganu, Perak, Johor, Pahang and Perlis) were analysed in terms of morphometric and meristic characters in order to study the morphological differences and variation of S. lateristriga in Peninsular Malaysia. Eight side view standard morphometric measurements, 15 meristic measurements and 18 side view morphometric truss network measurements were obtained from 100 individuals. Data was analysed using multivariate analyses (Principal Component Analysis-PCA and Discriminant Function AnalysisDF A). Morphometric characteristics were much more adequate than meristic characters for a good separation of this species. The most relevant morphometric characteristics differences between the individuals of Systomus lateristriga from different localities were body depth, head morphology, area adjacent to caudal peduncle and the posterior of fish. Meristic analysis showed the differences between the individual of specimens from different localities were circumferential scale, dorsal fin-ray, pectoral fin-ray, post-dorsal scale, pre-dorsal scale and lateral line scale. The results demonstrated the usefulness of morphometric in classification of species and defining shape and size differences among the individuals of S.lateristriga from different locality.