Booher, Douglas

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 OR198 Congruence of morphological characters in habitats occupied by Strumigenys species? Douglas Booher   Strumigenys is a large and morphologically diverse genus of litter-dwelling ants that inhabit a broad array of different habitats. Jaw structure, dentition, spongiform tissue, and hair patterns are morphological traits that are highly variable between species, yet exhibit little or no variation within species. Whether variation in these traits is associated with habitat differences is unknown.  Using data I collected on 33 species across the southeastern U.S. in 280 sampled habitats, I evaluated whether species co-occurring in similar habitats have more similar morphological traits than expected by chance. I quantified habitat differences using 13 abiotic and biotic variables.  I used clustering methods to quantify habitat similarities, and then tested the degree of congruence between habitat similarities and ant morphological similarities. The results of the analysis help provide insights regarding niche conservatism, phylogenetic conservatism, and habitat filtering in Strumigenys ant communities.

Congruence of Morphological Characters in Habitats Occupied by Strumigenys Species?

https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/10825/2/OR198.pdf

Congruence of Morphological Characters in Habitats Occupied by Strumigenys Species?

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