Bat Species Comparisons Based on External Morphology: A Test of Traditional versus Geometric Morphometric Approaches.

ABSTRACT: External morphology is commonly used to identify bats as well as to investigate flight and foraging behavior, typically relying on simple length and area measures or ratios. However, geometric morphometrics is increasingly used in the biological sciences to analyse variation in shape and discriminate among species and populations. Here we compare the ability of traditional versus geometric morphometric methods in discriminating between closely related bat species--in this case European horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera)--based on morphology of the wing, body and tail. In addition to comparing morphometric methods, we used geometric morphometrics to detect interspecies differences as shape changes. Geometric morphometrics yielded improved species discrimination relative to tradition

SUBMITTER: Schmieder DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4428882 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature