Biometry of the <i>Eugerres plumieri -Eugerres brasilianus</i> (Pisces:Gerreidae) complex from the Gulf of Mexico. A multivariate approach

Abstract

A biometric analysis of 58 members of the Eugerres plumieri complex from three sites (Gulf of Mexico) was perfonned to test the hypothesis that they actually represent two species. A Principal Components Analysis Ibowed the segregation of the sample into two different groups: This classification was evaluated by a Multiple Discriminant Analysis, and the groups membership was contrasted with a null model based on random grouping. A multiple regression anaIysis allowed the identification of five discriminant morphometrie variables that account for more than 95% of the total variance of PCA-axes 1 and 2. Our results support the hypothesis that there are two species of Eugerres' in Mexican waters. Finally, the status of E. brasilianus is discussed.