Biometric study of the deep bodied mahseer Tor tor (Hamilton Buchanan) from Ujh River, Kathua (J&K)

Abstract

Morphometric characters and meristic count of a fish, Tor tor (Hamilton Buchanan) have been studied from river Ujh, a tributary of river Ravi in District Kathua, (J&K). Collection of samples on monthly basis was conducted for the study of morphological characters of Tor tor. Present study shows some deviations with respect to few morphometric characters and meristic counts that have been aptly discussed in the following discussion. The positive correlation has been observed between total length and external body parts. The highly strong correlated body parameter in relation to total length is standard length (r = 0.98) and least correlated with eye diameter (r = 0.32) and the highly correlated external body part in relation to standard length is caudal length (r = 0.96) and least correlated part is eye diameter (r = 0.35) and also strong correlation was observed between head length and maximum body depth (r = 0.93) and least correlation between head length and eye diameter (r = 0.23). The correlation analysis shows that all the morphometric characters change proportionally with increase in the total length. These results act as baseline data on morphometry of Tor tor which helps in easy identification and will be beneficial for the development of conservational strategies of the natural stocks of Tor tor in river Ujh, Kathua (J&K).