Morphometric differences in populations of Nebria kratteri Dejean and Boisduval, 1830 from two old forests in Calabria (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract

In carabid beetles, several morphometric parameters may vary from one habitat to another. Body size is one of the most important traits in animals because it directly relates to fitness and changes across latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. In this paper, we compare two populations of Nebria kratteri (Coleoptera, Carabidae) sampled in two old forest sites of the Sila Mountain in Calabria. The specimens show significant differences in all morphometric parameters measured, the larger size at one site could be related to intraspecific competition.

Keywords

• morphometry, carabids, body size, intraspecific competition.