Study About Size Dimorphism and Directional Selection in Forest Millipedes

Abstract

Sexual Size Dimorphism (SSD) in the diplopod genus Centrobolus has a positive correlation with body size. Size criteria are useful for determining species of Spirobolida diplopods. Length, width, and rings are the main components of interspecific variation in diplopod species. Interspecific variation in size was calculated in 6 species and data sets were tested for normality. All data observed and tested were normal. The objective was to quantify and compare intersexual variation (coefficients of variation) in length and width in 9 species using MEDCALC®. In C. digrammus, C. inscriptus, and C. silvanus there was a significant directional selection for slender males.