Morphological variation in Schizothorax oconnori, Schizothorax waltoni (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae), and their natural hybrids from the middle Yarlung Zangbo River, Tibet

• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11342
• Publication Date: 2024-05-24T04:54:10Z
• Authors: Baoshan Ma; Tianyi Zhao; Bin Xu; Liqiao Zhong; Xiangxiang Wu; Kaijin Wei; Zhiming Zhang; Yunfeng Li
• Keywords: Teleostei

Abstract The morphological variation in Schizothorax oconnori , waltoni and their natural hybrids was examined using conventional image‐based analysis approaches. In total, 38 specimens of S. 35 37 were collected from the Shigatse to Lhasa section Yarlung Zangbo River during June July 2021. A total 21 morphometric, 4 meristic, 27 truss variables employed for classification hybrids. Principal component (PCA) factor (FA), as well discriminant function (DFA) cluster (CA), conducted identify differences based on traditional measurements. Four principal components explained 75.92% among morphometric characters, while five accounted 79.69% distances. FA results showed that 1 associated with head shape, 2 fins characters. Among related chest shape. DFA, measurements achieved higher accuracy (100%) compared distances (94.55%). morphology exhibited intermediate traits between . Both morphometry‐based truss‐based clustering indicated leaned toward conclusion, combination is beneficial classifying presence could be considered an evolutionary response differentiation nutritional spatial niches middle River.