Kajian morfometrik ke atas harvestmen (arachnida: opiliones) dari lata jarum, Pahang, Semenanjung Malaysia

Taxonomy-based morphometric study is a technique often used to separate species. This study aimed to determine discrimination among species of harvestmen based on morphometric analysis. Harvestmen samples collected from Lata Jarum, Pahang deposited at the Centre of Insect Systematic, National University of Malaysia (CISUKM) were used. A total of 21 morphometric parameters was measured using the Dino-Lite Digital Microscope in millimeter (mm) unit. Result from univariate analysis were unable to distinguish between the species but analysis from Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) using the Ratio of One could clearly distinguish the species into four clusters namely: Zaleptus quadrimaculata with Dentobunus luteus, Marthanella ferruginea, Marthana sp.1 and Marthana sp.2. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using Ratio of Two could only distinguish species into two clusters: Cluster 1 consists of Zaleptus quadrimaculata, Dentobunus luteus, Marthana sp.1, Marthana sp.2 and Cluster 2 only Marthanella ferruginea. The important parameter detected by CDA were EyeW/MaxLDS, DBEye/MaxLDS, FemurL/MaxLDS and TibiaL/MaxLDS while important parameter detected by PCA were EyeW/MaxPro, DBEye/MaxWPro and MaxLOpi/MaxWOpi. In conclusion, morphometric studies can be used in identification of harvestmen species and can provide early information to avoid misidentification of species in future