Comparison of morphometric indices in male and female imagos of Calliptamus barbarus (Orthoptera : Calliptaminae) in the region of Jijel (Algeria)
Calliptamus barbarus ( Orthoptera: Calliptaminae ) is a locust species characterized by geographical, morphological and chromatic polymorphism in their hind femora, which can be pale orange, with one femoral spot or red colour with three femoral spots . The latter is the only bio forms met in Jijel (North East of Algeria). The objective of this study is to know whether the population in our region is homogeneous or not. For that a morpho metric study was performed in three different stations : fixed dunes on the coast ( Jijel ) , Mediterranean bush ( Texenna ) and fallow land ( Kissir ), each individual is studied using conventional method measuring body size in both male and female sexes as follows: total length, length of elytra, femur length, width of the femur, width’ head, width’ pronotum, surface’ posterior femur, surface’ femoral spot. The results obtained are statistically operated based on correlation matrix, conformance testing of various pairs’ measurements, equations of regression lines and analysis of variance (ANOVA ). Couples of femur length / femur width , elytra length / femur length, femoral surface / femoral surface spots of three populations are homogeneous since that physical dimensions are closely correlated. Growth is in the same proportions for all body parts and more largest individuals are congruent of smaller ones. Analysis of variance test showed that observed or calculated F (value’ Fisher statistic) is greater than theoretical F (probability that we can meet calculated statistical value ), we concluded that there is a slight significant difference between populations of stations . Therefore, settlements of C. barbarus in three sites are homogeneous in morphologically, it’s found as well as in males or in females. However, there is a slight difference between populations. This occurence may be due to difference in altitude and vegetation that characterizes each station.
Keywords : Calliptamus barbarus , morphometric , station, sex, ANOVA
