Sexual dimorphism and a sex-limited polymorphism in the copepod Paroithona pacifica Nishida, 1985 (Cyclopoida: Oithonidae) from the Red Sea
Ferrari, F.D.; Böttger-Schnack, R. (1986). Sexual dimorphism and a sex-limited polymorphism in the copepod Paroithona pacifica Nishida, 1985 (Cyclopoida: Oithonidae) from the Red Sea. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 99(2): 274-285
In: Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. Biological Society of Washington: Washington. ISSN 0006-324X; e-ISSN 1943-6327, more
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| Keywords |
Biopolymorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Cyclopoida [WoRMS]; Oithonidae Dana, 1853-1855 [WoRMS]; Paroithona pacifica Nishida, 1985 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Ferrari, F.D.
- Böttger-Schnack, R., more
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| Abstract |
Paroithona pacifica Nishida, 1985, from the Red Sea is the first species of the genus known to exhibit polymorphism. Among females the number of external spines on swimming legs 3 and 4 exopods is variable; a pair of legs on one animal also may express variation in external spine number. Males do not exhibit similar variation within or among animals. Sexual dimorphism in the genus Paroithona is manifested in 18 differences in number, shape, and position of various exoskeletal elements. Differences in the number of segments and/or setae on swimming legs 2-4 are unique to this group relative to three other oithonid lineages. |
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