Multivariate and Geometric Morphometrics Reveal Morphological Variation Among <i>Sinibotia</i> Fish.

ABSTRACT: Sinibotia species, investigated for morphology and species divergence owing to comparable body patterns and frequent sympatric occurrences, show high morphological similarity and close phylogenetic relationships, which challenge their accurate distinguishing via conventional morphological methods. Hence, multivariate morphometric (MM) and geometric morphometric (GM) analyses were used to assess the morphological differences between Sinibotia species (S. superciliaris, S. reevesae, S. robusta, S. pulchra, and S. zebra) habiting the Tuo River (Zizhong County) and Li and Lipu Rivers (Pingle County) based on 40 morphological traits and 34 landmarks. The morphological traits of S. robusta contrasted with those of S. pulchra and S

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12467238 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature