Morphometric variation of Middle-American cichlids: Theraps– Paraneetroplus clade (Actinopterygii: Cichliformes: Cichlidae)

This study assesses the patterns of variation in body shape, and relations morphological similarity among species Theraps – Paraneetroplus clade order to determine whether shape may be a trait phylogenetic relations. A total 208 specimens belonging 10 were examined. The left side each specimen was photographed; photograph, 27 fixed landmarks placed identify variation. Images processed by using geometric morphometrics, followed principal component analysis. signal for then calculated. To similarity, dendrogram created unweighted pair group method arithmetic mean values, while Procrustes ANOVA post-hoc test used evaluate significant differences between habitats. We found three groups that differed length depth, head size, position mouth eyes. analysis recovered morphotypes seven species, statistical demonstrated eight species. Based on traits associated with cranial morphology, Wajpamheros nourissati (Allgayer, 1989) most No shape; this shows independence from ancestral relatedness, indicating there is little congruence genetic interspecific patterns. As evidenced consistently convergent morphology clade, diversification related an ecological opportunity habitat use exploitation food resources. Although no detected appears morphology-based phylogeny. However, it important intraspecific morphologic plasticity produced segregation or partitioning Therefore, future evolutionary studies should consider structures capture processing food.