Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Use of Chironomidae Diptera Surface-Floating Pupal Exuviae as a Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for Water Bodies
Published on: July 24, 2015
Shape as a Key to Taxonomy: Morphometric Analysis of Tetropium Species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Allan H Smith-Pardo1, Steven W Lingafelter2, David Laroze3
1United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)-Science and Technology (S&T), Pest Identification Technology Laboratory (PITL), Sacramento, CA 95814, USA.
Abstract:
The study of shape by the use of geometric morphometrics has been an important tool for addressing taxonomic challenges in complex groups like the genus Tetropium Kirby, 1837 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). This insect genus includes 28 species, 8 of which are found in North America, with the invasive T. fuscum (Fabricius) posing a significant quarantine risk as a pest of coniferous trees. The present study evaluated the use of geometric morphometrics to analyze the pronotum shape in females of nine species of the genus, showing the effectiveness of this tool in distinguishing between species. Even if some overlaps were found between some species, this research highlights the potential of GM in developing pest monitoring, quarantine managements, and integrated pest management programs. Our findings suggest that the use of a comprehensive database of landmarks, encompassing broader geographic and ecological diversity, could further improve species identification at ports of entry and facilitate trade.
More Related Videos
06:58Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Wild Monochamus alternatus Populations for Biocontrol Applications in Forest Wood Borers
Published on: September 29, 2023
10:23A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Taxonomy
What is a Species?
Phylogeny
Phylogenetic Trees
Morphogenesis
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons