IS A PROMINENT STERNITE RELATED TO SEX RATIOS AND ABUNDANCE IN CENTROBOLUS COOK, 1897?

Two species of Centrobolus were identified (C. anulatus, C. inscriptus) based on morphology and confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the gonopod structure. Two sets of linear measurements were made from the SEM micrographs: (1) prominence of the stemite, and (2) colepood spine length; with (3) spine number. Sex ratios in two species were gaged. Sternite prominence and sex ratios were negatively related (r=-0.46, Z score=-1.80, n=16, p=0.04). Spine length and spine number and sex ratios were not related. C. inscriptus had the highest sternite prominence (0.5 or 50%) with low sex ratios, and C. anulatus had the lower sternite prominence (0.30 or 30%) with high sex ratios. Sterqnite prominence and spine length and absolute abundances were positively related (r=0.63, Z score=1.66, n=8, p<0.05). Spine number and absolute abundance were negatively related (r=-0.63, Z score=-1.66, n=8, p