Morphometry of Nebria sp.

Description

The sample consisted of 20 individuals (10 males and 10 females) for each species: N. kratteri, N. germari and N. diaphana. For each individual, we measured body length (mm), antenna length (mm), head width (mm), head length (mm), thorax length (mm), thorax width (mm), elytra length (mm), elytra width (mm), number of ommatidia, eye surface area (mm2), eye distance (mm), facet size (µm2)

Steps to reproduce

All specimens were stored in alcohol (70%). Photographs were taken with a stereoscope (Leica S6D) equipped with a camera (Leica MC 170 HD camera). Relative measures of antenna length, number of ommatidia, eye surface area and eye distance were weighted against head width, while thorax length and width, head length and width and elytra length and width were weighted against body length. To determine the number of ommatidia and corneal size, we softened the specimens in hot potash lye to facilitate corneal removal. Samples were quickly washed in distilled water and fixed through immersion in the following solutions: acetone 50% (30 sec), distilled water (1’), ethanol 70% (1’), absolute ethanol (2’), xylol (1’). Samples were spread on a microscope slide and photographed (Fig. 3). All measurements were taken using SigmaScan Pro 5 Software (SPSS®Inc.).

Institutions

• University of Calabria

  Calabria, Rende

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