Morphometric variation of Pelophylax saharicus was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics, with bothtraditional and geometric morphometries, based on 148 specimens from four different geographical local...Morphometric variation of Pelophylax saharicus was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics, with bothtraditional and geometric morphometries, based on 148 specimens from four different geographical localities in Tunisia and Algeria.The results show the existence of three morphotypes in Tunisia and one in Algeria, and indicate a significant degree of variationin morphometric characters between regions. Specimens from the southernmost region have the smallest body size and thegreatest morphometric divergence from other populations. This pattern of morphometric variation probably results from phenotypicplasticity in response to local environmental factors. The results of our chromosomal study (C-, Ag-NOR-, endonucleasedigestion, DAPI, CMA_3 and Q-banding) reveal this species to exhibit the plesiomorphic Pelophylax karyotype of 2n = 26 biarmedchromosomes and NORs on the eleventh pair. Similarities and differences of the North African green frog are discussed in relationto the different forms of data collected (chromosomal, morphometric, ecological)展开更多
文摘Morphometric variation of Pelophylax saharicus was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics, with bothtraditional and geometric morphometries, based on 148 specimens from four different geographical localities in Tunisia and Algeria.The results show the existence of three morphotypes in Tunisia and one in Algeria, and indicate a significant degree of variationin morphometric characters between regions. Specimens from the southernmost region have the smallest body size and thegreatest morphometric divergence from other populations. This pattern of morphometric variation probably results from phenotypicplasticity in response to local environmental factors. The results of our chromosomal study (C-, Ag-NOR-, endonucleasedigestion, DAPI, CMA_3 and Q-banding) reveal this species to exhibit the plesiomorphic Pelophylax karyotype of 2n = 26 biarmedchromosomes and NORs on the eleventh pair. Similarities and differences of the North African green frog are discussed in relationto the different forms of data collected (chromosomal, morphometric, ecological)