Correlation between morphometric characteristics and meat yield of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Abstract

Abstract Meat yield is an important indicator of the commercial value of crustaceans. We investigated the correlations between morphometric characteristics and meat yield in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), in order to determine which traits were correlated with high meat yield. The association between morphometric characteristics and meat yield were estimated using statistical methods, including correlation coefficients, determination coefficients, path coefficients, and regression equations. In the same “family” [= cultured lineage or strain], the meat yield of males was often slightly lower than that of females. The meat yield of different male morphotypes ranged from 19.90% to 38.12%, while that of different female stages ranged from 30.14% to 35.59%. Among male morphotypes, the “small male” had the largest meat yield, and “old blue claw” had the lowest meat yield (). Among the various female developmental stages, stage I had the largest meat yield, and stage III female had the lowest meat yield (). The multivariate linear regression equation for meat yield of males contained four independent variables, and the determination coefficient was 0.744. The regression equation for females contained five independent variables, and the determination coefficient was 0.456. The characteristics that had the largest direct positive effect for meat yield were abdominal weight/body weight in males (0.862) and body length in females (0.441). These results can provide reference data for selecting M. rosenbergii with high meat yield, in order to improve the economic benefit of the prawn processing industry.