Archives of Biological Sciences 2013 Volume 65, Issue 3, Pages: 969-975
https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS1303969L
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Sexual size and shape dimorphism in Salamandra salamandra (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the central Balkans
Labus N. (Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Biology Department, Kosovska Mitrovica)
Cvijanović Milena (Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Belgrade)
Vukov Tanja (Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Belgrade)
Sexual size dimorphism is one of the key evolutionary features that has been
studied in many organisms. On the other hand, sexual shape dimorphism has
not been examined as well despite being as important as size dimorphism.
Therefore, we analyzed the sexual size and shape dimorphism (SSSD) of
Salamandra salamandra from the territory of the central Balkans. In
addition, we wanted to reconsider if there is some regularity in the
geographical distribution of SSSD in the investigated area. Significant
differences in size and shape between the sexes were found for the whole
sample and among the analyzed groups. Females were larger than males and had
bigger heads, interlimb distances and a parotid gland, while males had
bigger tails, forelimbs, hindlimbs, and forefoot and hindfoot length. Our
results reveal a strong effect of locality on trait variation. This
variation from the general pattern of SSSD is not substantial but still has
to be considered.
Keywords: SSSD, morphology, fire salamander, Serbia, Montenegro