Interspecific body size differentiation in species assemblages of the carabid subgenus Ohomopterus in Japan

• DOI: 10.1007/pl00012006
• Publication Date: 2006-04-10T11:07:35Z
• Authors: T. Sota; Y. Takami; K. Kubota; M. Ujiie; R. Ishikawa
• Keywords: Character displacement; Subgenus; Sexual dimorphism; Niche differentiation

Abstract Geographic variation and interspecific differentiation in body size (body length) were analyzed for 15 species of the carabid subgenus Ohomopterus (genus Carabus ; Coleoptera, Carabidae) Japan. Local assemblages this consist up to 5 different classes. These beetles exhibited sexual dimorphism where females are larger than males, except uenoi , which male female sizes equivalent, possibly because exaggerated genitalia. In 9 species, there was a positive correlation between mean annual temperature habitat, representing converse Bergmann's rule. However, some cases does not hold over range regional differences. When allopatric sympatric populations compared, albrechti C. japonicus had bodies populations. intraspecific differences may have resulted from character displacement. each local assemblage with 2 or more little overlap size, although ratio two adjacent seldom showed strict constancy. The an reduced number whereas largest smallest increased (i.e., expansion range). results indicate that evolved response both climatic conditions interactions. Because group represents same class distribution similar‐sized parapatric allopatric, segregation mainly assortment process during colonization.