Notice of RetractionSexual Size Dimorphism and Character Scaling of Chinese Fire-Bellied Newt (Cynops orientalis)

Abstract

Morphometric data from Chinese fire-bellied newts Cynops orientalis (n=162, 52 males and 110 females) population from Dabie mountain were analysed for the presence of sexual size and shape dimorphism. The data sets included eleven body-related measurements and were examined with univariate, bivariate and multivariate methods. The snout-vent length (SVL) was found to be the best univariate measure of overall body size. Scaling of body characters against SVL indicated allometry for most characters between sexes. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a key evolutionary feature which occurs when males and females of a species or population differ systematically in body size. With respect to size and shape, we found a significant female-biased dimorphism in the Chinese fire bellied newt in accordance with Rensch's rule. The evolution of female-biased SSD may be driven by a more diverse and complex range of asymmetric selective processes.