Multivariate analysis of morphometric differentiation within the Laonice cirrata-group (Polychaeta, Spionidae) |
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Authors: | LARS ORRHAGE PER SUNDBERG |
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Institution: | University of Göreborg, Department of Zoology, Box 250 59, S–40031 Göleborg, Sweden.;University of Göteborg, Department of Zoology, Box 250 59, S–400 31 Göteborg, Sweden. |
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Abstract: | Principal component, and canonical variate analysis based on six characters show that there are morphological differences between three Laonice forms (L. bahusiensis, L. sarsi, and Laonice sp.). This supports Söderström's division of L. cirrata into four species; a decision often questioned by other taxonomists. We cannot exclude the possibility that the morphological differences are caused by polymorphism or seasonal variation within a single species. There is, however, no information to vindicate this and we conclude that the three forms should be regarded as separate species until this hypothesis can be rejected. |
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