| Title |
Comparative morphological descriptions of interior shell patterns of the Venerid bivalves: Meretrix lyrata, Mercenaria mercenaria and Venerupis philippinarum using Landmark-based Geometric Morphometric Analysis |
|
Authors |
Carlo Stephen O. Moneva, Paolo Miguel L. Baquiano, Julito O. Blasco Jr., Kaia Marie E. Borlaza, Dan Matthew E. Burias, Kimberly A. Flores, Gleda Russelle E. Fuentes, Annalyn Grace E. Pancho, Rafael Ryno G. Sanchez |
|
Publication date |
2014 |
|
Journal |
Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation BIOFLUX |
| Volume |
7 |
| Issue |
5 |
| Pages |
386-395 |
| Publisher |
International Journal of the Bioflux Society |
| Abstract |
The shell is the most distinct feature of bivalves, which exhibits a large degree of variation in
terms of morphology. Recognition of bivalve variability is important for the effective culture of these
organisms. Traditional approach has been made to study shell morphology using differences in length
and color. However, conventional methodology can be strengthened by applying additional quantitative
tools. A more recent and advanced approach in investigating morphological shell shape patterns were
incorporated in the present study. Using Geometric Morphometric (GM) Analysis, the right and left valve
interiors of the three species of bivalves from family Veneridae - Lyrate asian hard clam (Meretrix lyrata),
Quahog or little neck (Mercenaria mercenaria), and Manila clam (Venerupis philippinarum) from Tubod,
Lanao del Norte, Philippines were explored for phenotypic variations. Fifteen (15) anatomical landmark
test was performed 芒聙聯 covering characteristics of the umbo, hinge, muscle scars, pallial line and pallial
sinus. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA)/Canonical Variance Analysis (CVA) scatter plot was
used to graphically present the clustering of each species. Moreover, Relative Warp Analysis (RWA) and
Kruskal芒聙聯Wallis Test, was used to obtain consensus morphology of the three species and their variations
along the negative and positive axes, and to test if there are significant differences on the anatomical
landmark of the three species, respectively. Results in MANOVA yielded significant differences in the
three species, CVA showed a distinct clustering of species population, and Kruskal芒聙聯Wallis supported this
clustering by obtaining significant results. The analyses showed that the umbo position, orientation of the
muscle scar, relative deepness of the pallial sinus, and pallial line length are significantly different in M.
lyrata, M. mercenaria and V. philippinarum. The morphological differences on their anatomical landmarks
are consequences adaptation to their specific environmental preferences. The results of the present study
can provide more information about the ecology and characteristics of the three species and use this
information to devise techniques that can manipulate production yield without the expense of the life of
other animals and the whole biodiversity. |
| Index terms / Keywords |
bivalve variability, shell morphology, shell shape patterns, anatomical landmarks, biodiversity |
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology