Rostral Geometric Morphometrics in a Hippolytid Shrimp: Are There Elements That Reflect the Homozygous/Heterozygous State of Its Morphotypes?

Geometric morphometry has been widely used in decapods’ studies for taxonomic needs, and eco-morphological adaptation intraspecific variations recordings. Among the 40 species of genus Hippolyte, Mediterranean endemic Hippolyte sapphica is only one with two distinct conspecific morphotypes, without intermediate forms: morph-A a long, dentate morph-B very short, toothless rostrum. Previous have shown that “rostral loss” seems to be controlled by single pair alleles, complete dominance allele b, expressed morph-B. We aim elucidate morphotypes’ rostral pattern relation size, sex, season. Shrimps were collected during different (dry/wet) seasons from sites: s.1 mixed (morph-A B) s.2 pure, unmixed (morph-A) populations. After morph sex identification, individuals photographed geometric morphometric analysis rostrum was carried out on set landmarks. The data suggest shape influenced shrimp’s time year. Interestingly, clusters appear, which probably correspond homozygous heterozygous state (BB BA) gene site controls phenology.