Spatial Morphometric and Biochemical Variation within Populations of Scelosodis castaneus castaneus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Different Eco-geographical Regions in Egypt

Spatial variation in morphological traits associated with biochemical changes as a result of habitat isolation is still a lacking study for most Egyptian insect groups especially darkling beetles. The study of spatial variation in adaptation of morphometric and biochemical traits is the current aim. Therefore, the different populations of Scelosodis castaneus castaneus were sampled at thirteen sites belonged to four different Egyptian ecoregions in their nature: South Sinai, Nile Delta, the western desert Oases and the western Mediterranean coastal desert. Twenty-one morphometric measurements were taken by a threaded micrometer in addition to the assessment of whole body metabolites. Results showed a spatial significant variation within morphometric traits between different populations; where the morphometric trait in South Sinai was clear different than others, followed by, the population of the Nile Delta, the clade of the western desert Oases and the Mediterranean coastal desert. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis, the total amount of protein and carbs in their food was significantly correlated with the diversity in biochemical features. The closer population was between the western desert Oases and Nile Delta regions. Finally, spatial variation in habitat nature has an important role in adaptive morphometric and biochemical traits for the same species.