Phenotypic variation of southwestern Atlantic clam Mactra isabelleana (Bivalvia: Mactridae).

JAVIER H. SIGNORELLI; FEDERICO MÁRQUEZ; GUIDO PASTORINO

JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Año: 2012 vol. 93 p. 511 - 517

0025-3154

The phenotypic shell shape variation of Mactra isabelleana was tested using the geometric morphometric method. Fourlocalities were sampled along the Rı´o de la Plata estuary and the coast of Buenos Aires province. Principal component analysisand canonical variates analysis of the first principal components were performed to reveal the shell variation and differencesamong localities, respectively. The specimens from different microhabitats mostly overlapped, although differences in shapewere observed in the development of the umbo, the enlargement of the dorsoventral axes and the elongation of the posteriorend. The ecological and physical parameters that could influence shell shape variation are discussed.