Using Geometric Morphometry to Investigate the Taxonomy of Satyrid Butterflies in Ypthima multistriata Species Complex

• Main Authors: Shih-Ching Chen, 陳世情
• Other Authors: Shih-Hsiung Liang
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/q3v453

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 生物科技系 === 97 === Abstract Adult morphological features of the Ypthima multistriata species complex demonstrate considerable interspecific and infraspecific variations.The wing patterns of Y. esakii, in particular, show prominent seasonal and geographical variations. Nevertheless, the differences of such variations are subtle and difficult to analyze, leading to a confusing taxonomy of this problematic taxa. In the resent study, I tried to deal with this problem by applying traditional morphology measurements and geometric morphometry. The multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed to compare three spot areas on the hindwing undersides among taxa, whereas the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the ratio between the first and second eyespot area across taxa. In the MANCOVA, “Y. esakii” can be divided into two groups, namely Y. esakii “Nan-Ya form” + Y. easkii (northern population) + Y. wangi and Y. esakii (eastern, central and southern populations). I analyzed the androconium shape and androconium distribution shape with the outline method, and the results showed Y. wangi and all populations of “Y. esakii” should be regarded as one group. Landmark method was used to analyze the framework of the points in ocellus center and the ones at vein intersection on hindwing underside. After superimposing the landmark data with canonical variate analysis, the result was conformed to the outline method result. All these methods showed that Y. wenlungi, a recently discovered species, was only distantly related to any taxon in the Ypthima multistriata complex, but thin plate spline function failed to discriminate Y. wenlungi with members of this complex. The result of my study renders a support to the opinion to lump Y. wangi with Y. esakii together. Accordingly, the differences found on wing patterns among populations of Y. esakii may be contributed to conditions of microhabitats where they occur, and the usage of the size and difference of eyespot on species discrimination appears to be of limited value. Key words：Ypthima multistriata species complex、Geometric morphometry、Landmark method、Outline method、Thin plate spline function