METHODOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS Version 1.1 (20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Bojan Marčeta

Morphometrics

Morphometrics refer to the quantitative data which can be measured. There are two ways of measuring: in a straight line or around the circumference of the body. For example in a straight line the length of the specimen can be measured, while the extent of the body is measured around its circumference. The measurements of the specimen sizes or its parts is differing according the taxonomical group to which species is belonging.

Meristics

Meristics refer to the quantitative data which can be counted. Examples of such data are number of scales, spines etc.

- 1 - Meristics refer to the quantitative data which can be counted. Examples of such data are number of scales, spines etc.

Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Gastropoda

acronym measurement description SL Shell length / SH Shell height /

- 2 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Bivalvia - other bivalves

Adapted from Poutiers, 1987 (Ref#5053)

acronym measurement description SL Shell length / SH Shell height / SW Shell width /

- 3 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Sepia

acronym measurement description TL Total length / ML Mantle length /

- 4 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Loliginidae

acronym measurement description TL Total length / ML Mantle length / FinL Fin length /

- 5 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Loligo

Adapted from Pierce et al., 1994 (Ref#6366)

acronym measurement description ML Dorsal mantle length / FL Fin length / FW Fin width / HL Head length / HW Head width / RA1 Length of right arm 1 / RA2 Length of right arm 2 / RA3 Length of right arm 3 / RA4 Length of right arm 4 / TL Length of the right tentacle / TCL Length of the right tentacle club / LSD Diameter of the largest sucker on the right tentacle club / MC Mantle circumference / GL Length of the right gill / FCL Length of the right funnel cartilage / NCL Nucal cartilage length / PL Pen length / PW Pen width /

- 6 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Octopodidae - Octopodidae

acronym measurement description TL Total length / ML Mantle length /

- 7 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Stomatopoda

acronym measurement description TL Body length / CL Carapace length /

- 8 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Penaeus kerathurus - caramote prawn

acronym measurement description TL Total length From the tip of the rostrum to the tip of the telson. CL Postorbital carapace length From the post-orbital notch to the posterior margin of the carapace.

- 9 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Homarus

acronym measurement description TL Body length / CL Postorbital carapace length /

- 10 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Majidae

acronym measurement description TL Body length / CL Carapace length /

- 11 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description TLmax Maximal length / FL Fork length / SL Standard length / PD2 Pre-second dorsal-fin length / PD1 Pre-first dorsal-fin length / HL Head length / PGL Prebranchial length / PSP Prespiracular length / POB Preorbital length / PP1 Prepectoral-fin length / PP2 Prepelvic-fin length / SVL Snout-vent length / VCL Vent caudal-fin length / PAL Preanal-fin length / IDS Interdorsal space / DCS Dorsal caudal-fin space / PPS Pectoral-fin pelvic-fin space / PCA Pelvic-fin caudal-fin space / PAS Pelvic-fin anal-fin space / ACS Anal-fin caudal-fin space /

- 12 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description INO Interorbital space / ESL Eye spiracle space / SPL Spiracle length / HDW Head width / TRW Trunk width / ABW Abdomen width / TAW Tail width / CPW Caudal-fin peduncle width /

- 13 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description GIR Girth /

- 14 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description ANF Anterior nasal-flap length / NOW Nostril width / INW Distance between nostrils / MOL Mouth length / MOW Mouth width / ULA Upper labial-furrow length / LLA Lower labial-furrow length /

- 15 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description CLB Clasper base width / CLO Clasper outer length / CLI Clasper inner length /

- 16 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description PDI Pelvic-fin midpoint first dorsal-fin insertion / PDO Pelvic-fin midpoint second dorsal-fin origin / DPI First dorsal-fin midpoint pectoral-fin insertion / DPO First dorsal-fin midpoint pelvic-fin origin / DAO Second dorsal-fin origin anal-fin origin / DAI Second dorsal-fin insertion anal-fin insertion / HDH Head height / BH Body height / ABH Abdomen height / TAH Tail height / CPH Caudal-fin peduncle height /

- 17 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description D1A First dorsal-fin anterior margin / D1H First dorsal-fin height / D1P First dorsal-fin posterior margin / D1B First dorsal-fin base / D1L First dorsal-fin length / D1I First dorsal-fin inner margin / D2A Second dorsal-fin anterior margin / D2H Second dorsal-fin height / D2P Second dorsal-fin posterior margin / D2B Second dorsal-fin base / D2L Second dorsal-fin length / D2I Second dorsal-fin inner margin / P2A Pelvic-fin anterior margin / P2H Pelvic-fin height / P2P Pelvic-fin posterior margin [length] / P2B Pelvic-fin base / P2L Pelvic-fin length / P2I Pelvic-fin inner margin [length] / ANA Anal-fin anterior margin / ANH Anal-fin height / ANP Anal-fin posterior margin / ANB Anal-fin base / ANL Anal-fin length / ANI Anal-fin inner margin /

- 18 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description CPV Preventral caudal-fin margin / CFL Caudal-fin fork length / CFW Caudal-fin fork width / CPL Lower postventral caudal-fin margin / CPU Upper postventral caudal-fin margin / CDM Dorsal caudal-fin margin / CST Subterminal caudal-fin margin / CSW Subterminal caudal-fin width / CTL Terminal caudal-fin lobe / CTR Terminal caudal-fin margin /

- 19 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Selachimorpha - sharks

Adapted from Compagno, 2001 (Ref#4950)

acronym measurement description PRN Prenarial length / POR Preoral length / EYL Eye length / EYH Eye height / GS1 First gill slit height / GS2 Second gill slit height / GS3 Third gill slit height / GS4 Fourth gill slit height / GS5 Fifth gill slit height / GS6 Sixth gill slit height / GS7 Seventh gill slit height / ING Intergill length / P1B Pectoral-fin base / P1R Pectoral-fin radial length / P1A Pectoral-fin anterior margin / P1I Pectoral-fin inner margin / P1P Pectoral-fin posterior margin / P1H Pectoral-fin height / P1L Pectoral-fin length / SOD Subocular pocket depth /

- 20 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Batiomorpha - rays

acronym measurement description TLmax Maximal length / PS Pectoral fins spread / DL Disc length /

- 21 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

acronym measurement description TLmax Maximal length / TL Total length / FL Fork length / SL Standard length / BH Body height Maximal body height excluding fins

- 22 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description HL Head length / SNL Snouth length / PreDL Body length to the first dorsal fin base / PrePL Body length to the pectoral fin base / PreVL Body length to the pelvic fin base / PreAL Body length to the anal fin base / ED Eye diameter Maximal eye diameter D1L Length of the first dorsal fin base / AL Length of anal fin base / CPL Caudal peduncle length / CPH Caudal peduncle height /

- 23 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Clupeiformes

acronym measurement description TLmax Total length /

- 24 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Syngnathiformes

acronym measurement description SH Snouth height /

- 25 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Hippocampus

Adapted from Lourie, 2003 (Ref#6468)

acronym measurement description TRL Trunk length - seahorses The curved distance from the mid-point of the cleitral ring to the lateral mid-point of the ridge of the last trunk ring. TAL Tail length - seahorses The distance from the lateral mid-point of the lateral ridge of the last trunk ring to the tail tip. SL Standard length - seahorses The sum of head length + trunk length (curved) + tail length. HL Head length - seahorses The distance from the tip of the snout (upper jaw) to the mid-point of the cleithral ring. SNL Snouth length - seahorses The distance from the tip of the snout (upper jaw) to the anterior side of the tubercle - spine immediately in front of the orbit (pre-orbital tubercle/spine)

- 26 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Testudines - turtles

Adapted from Wyneken, 2001 (Ref#5672)

acronym measurement description CCLmax Maximum carapace length From the anterior-most part of the carapace to the posterior-most tip of the carapace on the same side. CCL Curved carapace length Chelonidae: from the anterior-most point on the midline of the nuchal scute to the posterior-most tip of the last marginal (supracaudal or postcentral) scute. Dermochelyidae: pull the tape tight between the middle of the nuchal notch and the terminal tip of the caudal peduncle, without forcing the tape along the ridge. CCLmin Minimum carapace length From the mid-point of the nuchal scute to the notch where the two most posterior marginal scutes meet. CCW Carapace width At the widest part of the carapace (not at specific scutes). CIRCUM Circumference Circumference (CIRCUM) The greatest circumference taken perpendicular to the turtle's long axis. CPL Plastron length From posterior-most part of the plastron hard structure to its anterior- most hard structure. TTL Total tail length From the posterior-most point of the plastron to the tail tip. PVTL Plastron to vent length From the middle of the cloaca, or vent, to the posterior-most tip of the plastron. VTTL Vent to tip From the middle of the vent to the tip of the tail or it can be calculated by subtraction.

- 27 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Testudines - turtles

Adapted from Wyneken, 2001 (Ref#5672)

acronym measurement description SCLmax Maximum carapace length From the anterior-most part of the carapace to the posterior-most tip of the carapace on the same side. CL Carapace length From the anterior-most to the posterior-most tip of the carapace. SCL Standard carapace length Chelonidae: from the anterior-most point on the midline of the nuchal scute to the posterior-most tip of the last marginal (supracaudal or postcentral) scute. Dermochelyidae: from the middle of the nuchal notch to the posterior-most tip of the caudal peduncle. SCLmin Minimum carapace length From the mid-point of the nuchal scute to the notch where the two most posterior marginal scutes meet. SCW Carapace width At the widest part of the carapace (not at specific scutes). SPL Plastron length From posterior-most part of the plastron hard structure to its anterior- most hard structure. BD Body depth With calipers at the point of maximum carapace height when the bottom jaw of the calipers is held parallel to the plastron. HL Maximum head length Along the midline from the anterior-most part of the upper jaw to the posterior-most bone of the skull - the supraoccipital crest. HW Maximum head width At the widest part of the head, perpendicular to the long axis of the skull.

- 28 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Cetacea

acronym measurement description TL Total length / FL Fork length /

- 29 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description BSI Number of gillrakers on lower limb / BSS Number of gillrakers on upper limb /

- 30 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description LL Number of lateral line scales / LTS Number of scales above the lateral line / LTI Number of scales under the lateral line /

- 31 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description BR Number of branchiostegal rays /

- 32 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Actinopterygii - ray-finned fishes

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description D1S Number of first dorsal fin spinous rays / D1R Number of first dorsal fin soft rays / D2S Number of second dorsal fin spinous rays / D2R Number of second dorsal fin soft rays / D3S Number of third dorsal fin spinous rays / D3R Number of third dorsal fin soft rays / C Number of caudal fin rays / A1S Number of first anal fin spinous rays / A1R Number of first anal fin soft rays / A2S Number of second anal fin spinous rays / A2R Number of second anal fin soft rays / VS Number of pelvic fin spinous rays / VR Number of pelvic fin soft rays / P Number of pectoral fin rays /

- 33 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Acipenseridae - sturgeons

acronym measurement description LP Number of lateral bony plates / DP Number of dorsal bony plates / VP Number of ventral bony plates /

- 34 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Atherina - sand smelts

acronym measurement description LD1D2 Number of scales between D1 and D2 /

- 35 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Syngnathidae

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description ST Number of segments on the trunk / SC Number of segments on the tail / SD Number of segments under D /

- 36 - Methodological explanations, version 1.0 (Ljubljana, 20.6.2016) Morphometrics and meristics

Scombridae - mackerels, tunas and bonitos

Adapted from Marčeta, 1999 (Ref#1326)

acronym measurement description PNLS Number of dorsal finlets / PNLI Number of ventral finlets /

- 37 -