MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ADULT ARTEMIA (CRUSTACEA, BRANCHIOPODA) FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN MEDITERRANEAN POPULATIONS

Twelve morphological parameters have been measured in Artemia individuals belonging to 27 different populations located around the Western Mediterranean basin. An analysis, through multivariate discriminant procedures, allows us to establish relationships among different populations. The three different types of population studied (bisexual diploid, parthenogenetic diploid and parthenogenetic tetraploid) are thoroughly characterized by their morphological characteristics. This simple method is shown to be useful in grouping different populations and to have predictive value in assigning new populations to the groups previously analyzed.