Geometric morphometrics

Geometric morphometric is important part of integrative taxonomic studies of hoverflies. This technique is a powerful computerized quantitative method for statistical shape analysis using Cartesian geometric coordinates. It has considerable discriminatory and statistical power in revealing minor but stable morphological variation, often undetectable to the naked eye. Geometric morphometrics has wide application in fundamental and applied biological research. At the BioSense Institute we use geometric morphometric analysis of shape in integrative taxonomic studies as well as in measurement of developmental stability. In integrative studies, by characterizing geometric morphometrics of wing shape and male terminalia structures we corroborate the cryptic species identification and description. Both morphological traits are highly heritable, and difference in their structure between species, in simplified terms, reflect differences in their genome.