Variation of Morphometric Traits within Populations of Ground Beetles Anthia Sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Located in Different Ecogeographical Regions in Egypt

A study on the ground beetle Anthia sexmaculata in Egypt reveals distinct morphometric differences among populations across three ecogeographical regions: the Western Mediterranean Coastal Desert (WMCD), the Western Desert, and South Sinai. Using multivariate analysis, including cluster and discriminant analysis, researchers identified 21 key morphometric traits that clearly differentiate these populations, with the first two discriminant axes accounting for 99.9% of the variation. Notably, the South Sinai population exhibits unique morphological characteristics compared to other Egyptian populations, suggesting significant regional adaptation or speciation. The study employed an eyepiece micrometer for precise measurements and utilized multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) to quantify these differences, providing insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of this carabid beetle species.

HASSAN, M., ELSHEWY, D., BREAM, A., & RIAD, S. (2017). VARIATION OF MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS WITHIN POPULATIONS OF GROUND BEETLES ANTHIA SEXMACULATA (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) LOCATED IN DIFFERENT ECOGEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS IN EGYPT. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 47(3), 671–678. https://doi.org/10.21608/jesp.2017.77728