Landmark-based morphometric analysis in selected species of serranid fishes (Perciformes : Teleostei)

Morphological differences among 6 species of marine fishes belonging to 2 s ubfamilies of the family Serranidae (Serraninae: Dules auriga, Diplectrum f ormosum, and D, radiale; Epinephelinae: Epinephelus marginatus, Mycteroperc a acutirostris, and M. bonaci) were studied by the geometric morphometric m ethod of thin-plate splines and multivariate analysis of partial-warp score s. The decomposition of shape variation into uniform and nonaffine componen ts of shape change indicate that major differences among species are relate d to both components of shape variation. Significant differences were found among species with respect to the uniform components, but there is no clea r separation of taxonomic groups related to these components, and species a re instead separated on the basis of body height and caudal peduncle length . Non-uniform changes in body shape, in turn, clearly differentiate the spe cies of Serraninae and Epinephelinae. These shape changes are probably rela ted to differences in habitat and feeding habits among the species.