Shape and size variation of Jenynsia lineata (Jenyns 1842) (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae) from different coastal environments

Abstract

A key question in ecological speciation is to understand the causes and consequences of phenotypic divergence among populations. In this work, we analyzed the body shape and size variation in Jenynsia lineata across different coastal habitats along the Atlantic coast of South America. We hypothesized that J. lineata presents morphological variations to inhabit contrasting environments and that these adaptations are sex specific. We analyzed 13 populations from five coastal habitats, using linear and geometric morphometry, and tested the correlation of body shape variation with environmental variables to understand which environmental factors may influence body shape and size variation. Jenynsia lineata showed differences in body shape and size among populations, and these differences are specific to each sex. While females showed a variation in the caudal peduncle correlated with water current, we did not find such trait variation and correlation in males. Alternatively, individuals from marine rocky pools have a convex body curvature along the dorsal profile and larger body sizes, in both sexes. With these results, we describe the shape and size morphological variation of J. lineata and discuss this uncommon habitat-dependent sexual dimorphism in a Neotropical livebearer fish.