Body shape variation within and among three species of darters (Perciformes: Percidae)

Using geometric morphometric (GM) techniques, we quantified intra and interspecific variation in female body shape using five collections each of Etheostoma caeruleum Storer, Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque, and Etheostoma stigmaeum (Jordan). Nested multivariate analysis of variance showed significant variation in body shape among populations (Wilks' Lambda = 0.0687, F (144,7585.1) = 19.35, P < 0.0001), as well as among species (Wilks' Lambda = 8.7 x 10(-6) , F (24,2) = 28.18, P = 0.0348). Etheostoma caeruleum displayed greater body depth relative to both E. nigrum and E. stigmaeum , whereas E. nigrum displayed a compressed arrangement of mid-body landmarks relative to both E. stigmaeum and E. caeruleum . The broader implications of these findings highlight the value of geometric morphometrics as both an exploratory and analytical approach. Conclusions drawn from comparisons among moderately differentiated darter species in future studies of body size and shape are likely robust to intraspecific variation within species, and will permit more rigorous investigations into the ecomorphology of these benthic stream fishes.