Effects of morphological traits on living body weight of wild Cyclina sinensis in different geographical populations

Eleven coastal geographical populations of wild Cyclina sinensis in China were collected in February 2020, and the effects of four morphological traits (shell length; shell height; shell width; external ligament length) on one weight trait (living body weight) were studied by correlation analysis, path analysis, determination coefficient analysis, and regression analyses. The statistical results showed that the coefficient of body weight variation was generally greater than morphological traits(P＜0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that the coefficient of correlation between morphological traits (except for external ligament length) and body weight are significantly positive (P＜0.05) in all populations. Based on the results of path analysis and determination coefficient analysis, shell length has the greatest direct effect on body weight in the Yancheng population; shell height has the greatest direct effect on body weight in Dandong, Fuzhou and Tangshan populations; shell width has the greatest direct effect on body weight in Zhanjiang, Wenzhou, Dongtai, Ningbo, Tianjin, Dongying, and Wanning populations. Multiple regression equations were obtained with body weight as the dependent variable, shell length, height, and width and external ligament length as independent variables. The results of systematic clustering showed that there are no apparent geographical differentiation characteristics among eleven geographical populations in morphology. This study provided a scientific basis for selective and genetic breeding and can guide the development and utilization of wild C. sinensis seed resources.