Intraspecific variation of Clinopodes flavidus C. L. Koch, 1847 (Chilopoda: Geophilidae) in Italy: a preliminary analysis through geometric morphometrics

In this thesis project the intraspecific morphological variability of the species Clinopodes flavidus Koch, 1847 in six populations in Italy was analysed (three populations from the Eastern Alps and three populations from Sicily) in order to estimate geographical variations. Differences were evaluated in the number of body segments, and in the shape of forcipular coxosternite, a structure of the prey-catching apparatus. The latter was analysed using geometric morphometry methods. The results show how geographic distance and isolation may affect gene flow between populations, leading to divergences in morphological traits and probably in genetic traits. The results show how geometric morphometric methods are useful both to make a preliminary analysis to evaluate these evolutionary divergences and to show previously unknown morphological differences between populations.