Anal Fin Length Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Morphometric and Meristic Characters in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Nile Tilapia across Diverse Ecological Zones in Nigeria

The present study investigated the comparative analysis of morphometric and meristic characteristics in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from six lakes in different ecological zones across Nigeria. A total of 347 samples were collected. Twenty-nine morphometric characters were measured to the nearest 0.01 cm using Vernier calipers and nine meristic characters were counted in all the collected individuals. The results of the univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all observed morphometric and meristic characters were significantly different (P=0.05) across the study sites. Notably, O. niloticus from Asejire Lake had significantly higher values in all the morphometric characters. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) identified three morphometric and four meristic characters as the most discriminating traits among the studied populations. These findings align with previous research highlighting the utility of morphometric and meristic data in delineating fish populations based on habitat differences and genetic compositions. Significant differences in head-related (head length), swimming-related (anal fin length and caudal peduncle length), and feeding-related (both left and right gill raker) measurements further underscored environmental influences on morphological variation. The study suggests that ecological factors such as food availability and environmental conditions contribute to the observed variations. This research provides valuable insights into the population dynamics and adaptation strategies of O. niloticus in diverse aquatic environments across Nigeria

Allometric Growth Pattern and Hunger Tolerance of Hemibarbus maculatus Bleeker Larvae.

To clarify the allometric growth pattern and hunger tolerance of Hemibarbus maculatus Bleeker larvae, the morphological lengths of their functional organs were measured continuously and their primary feeding rates under a state of starvation were studied. A control group and starvation group were set up for this study, and 10 larvae were sampled from each group every day in order to study their allometric growth pattern and starvation tolerance. The results indicated that the Hemibarbus maculatus larvae opened their mouths for feeding at 4 days after hatching, and that the yolk sac disappeared completely at 11 days after hatching. The Hemibarbus maculatus larvae preferentially developed their heads, fins, and eyes, related to the functions of feeding, balancing, and swimming, in order to cope with complex environments. The growth inflection points for the head length, pectoral fin length, dorsal fin length, eye diameter, eye spacing, snout length, and body height were characterized by total lengths of 10.93 mm, 11.67 mm, 11.67 mm, 13.17 mm, 16.53 mm, 15.13 mm, and 15.13 mm, respectively. Prior to and following the inflection point, positive allometric growth was observed in all organs. After the inflection point, the dorsal fin continued to maintain positive allometric growth, while the others changed to isometric allometric growth. A growth inflection point was not observed for trunk length or the lengths of the tail and anal fins. The trunk length always maintained negative allometry, while the tail and anal fin lengths were reversed. The growth inflection point of the tail length was at a total length of 13.68 mm. Before and after the growth inflection point, negative and isometric allometric growths were observed, respectively. According to the relationship between the total length and number of days after hatching, the growth inflection point of the Hemibarbus maculatus larvae was concentrated at TL = 10.93-16.53 mm, which was observed 14-20 days after hatching. The point of no return for the Hemibarbus maculatus larvae was 12-13 days after hatching, and the ratio of days after hatching in the mixed trophic period to the endotrophic period was 1.75, indicating that the larvae had strong hunger tolerance. Therefore, when considering a water temperature of 22.66 ± 1.56 °C, 4-5 days after hatching is the best time to cultivate in the pond, and it should not be carried out later than 12 days after hatching.

Evaluation of body performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Efforts to improve the quality of fish seeds can be done by using quality broodstock which includes having the right body shape. This study aimed to evaluate the body performance of male and female Sultana strain tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which were to be used in hatchery activities. A total of 35 male and 35 female broodstock were evaluated for body size using a ruler. Measurements of 12 morphological characters: total length (TL), standard length (SL), head length (HL), pre-dorsal length (PrDL), pre-pectoral length (PrPL), pre-pelvic length (PrPeL), pre-pelvic length (PrPeL), anal length (PrAL), anal fin length (AFL), dorsal fin base length (DFL), body height (BH), caudal peduncle height (CPH), and dorsal anal length distance (DAL). The ratio between the character values of SL, HL, PrDL, PrPL, PrPeL, PrAL, AFL, DFL, BH, CPH, DAL, and TL were analyzed descriptively. The results of the analysis showed that the average value of the ratio of length characters (SL/TL, HL/TL, DF, and AFL/TL), height character (BH/TL), and diagonal character (DAL/TL) were higher in the male broodstock than in the female broodstock. On the other hand, other length characters (PrDL/TL, PrPL/TL, PrPeL/TL, PrAL/TL) and height characters (CPH/TL) had the same values in the male and female broodstock. In general, the size of the male broodstock used tended to be larger than the female broodstock.

Intra- and interspecific variability in external morphology among three Symphodus species (Labridae)

ABSTRACT Labridae (wrasses) showcases a wide range of morphological variations, including diverse shapes, as well as a spectrum of ecological and behavioural characteristics. This study compared intra- and interspecific variation in three congeneric Symphodus species based on 19 morphometric characters associated with external morphology. Morphometric characters were commonly summed as the percentage of total length (TL%). The principal component analysis showed a clear separation of S. roissali from the other two Labridae species. The morphological distinction between species was statistically significant for all variables. While post-orbital length, anal fin length, caudal fin length and soft dorsal fin length are the hallmarks for Labridae species examined in this study, care should be taken when using other characters. Especially S. cinereus and S. ocellatus show similarities in many characters. S. roissali is distinguished from the other two species by its larger head and fin lengths (dorsal, anal, and pectoral). Intraspecific sexual dimorphism was significant for eight variables in the S. cinereus. No significant intraspecies morphological differences by sexes were observed for S. roissali and S. ocellatus species. Sex determination for these two species should be based on macroscopic examination of their gonads rather than external morphology.

Distinguishing Hybrids of Golden Thailand and Malaysian Strains of Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792), Using Multivariate Analyses of Morpho-Meristic Traits

The climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792), is a commercially important freshwater fish in Southeast Asia. To meet demand, establishing stock development breeding programmes is essential. However, there is a lack of scientific literature on parent-hybrids differences. This study aims to use morphometric characteristics to identify important predictors and determine their heritability to address the knowledge gap. Two strains of A. testudineus and their corresponding hybrid groups, represented by T1–T4 (T1: golden Thai (♀) × golden Thai (♂), T2: golden Thai (♀) × Malaysian (♂), T3: Malaysian (♀) × Malaysian (♂) and T4: Malaysian (♀) × golden Thai (♂)) were used for the experiment. Thirty individuals of each strain were randomly selected from their respective tanks for morphometric characteristics assessment. Twenty-five morphometric measurements were taken, and adjustments were made for body size effects. These measurements were then subjected to multivariate analysis with a 5 % selection intensity for genetic advancement, focusing on body depth and base of anal fin length. The morphometric characters, including postorbital length, lowest body depth,the base of analfin length,total length, standard length, pre-pectoral fin length,the base of pectoralfin length, and base of pelvic fin length based on the canonical coefficient, were identified as distinguishing factors between hybrids and the parental population. The study showed that body length heritability was greater than 60 %, indicating a significant additive genetic effect that surpasses the impact of the environmental effect and thus could be used as a potential characteristic for selective breeding to improve the desired trait.

Morfometric Character of Longtail Tuna (Thunnus Tonggol)

Longtail tuna is a pelagic fish that has a wide distribution from the Java Sea to the Natuna Sea or the South China Sea. This study aims to identified the character of the population and determine differences in population/stock of longtail tuna among stock in the Java Sea and the Natuna Sea. Sampling was carried out from May 2018 to April 2019, in Pekalongan representing the Java Sea, Pemangkat representing the west Natuna Sea and Tanjung Pinang representing the east Natuna Sea. The morphometric measurement consists of 20 characters, morphometric data is standardized by dividing all the morphometric characters by the standard length (SL). Principal components and discriminant functions analysis was employed to analyze morphometric variables to obtain distinguishing characters and stock identification. Discriminant Analysis to see the components of intra and inter-population sharing was carried out using SPPS ver.16 software. The results of Principal components analysis (PCA) found there are two distinguishing morphometric characters, namely: pelvic fin length (PeL) and anal fin length (PAF) characters. Canonical discriminant analysis found two subpopulation longtail tuna, which is one sub population Java Sea and west Natuna Sea, the other is east Natuna Sea sub population.

Morfometrik Ikan Cere (Gambusia affinis) dan Ikan Putian (Rasbora argyrotaeni) yang Terpapar Merkuri di Sungai Tambang Saweak Kabupaten Lebong

Mercury (Hg) is a pollutant that is dangerous because it is toxic when it accumulates in living tissue and is difficult to decompose in the environment, if it is polluted it will be very dangerous for the environment and living things around it. In this study the aim was to determine the mercury content of the morphometrics of fish in the Selikat River, Tambang Saweak Village. Based on the results of the study, it was found that 2 species of fish were exposed to mercury and not exposed, namely Cere fish (Gambusia affinis) exposed to mercury of 0.47 mg/Kg and Putian fish (Rasbora argyrotaenia) exposed to mercury of 0.43 mg/Kg. Where in the two fish there are morphometric differences, namely differences in body height (TB), tail stem height (TBE), dorsal fin length (PDO) and anal fin length (PA). This happens because fish that are exposed to toxic compounds or heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) can experience tissue damage and affect the body size and body shape of the fish. If fish exposed to mercury are eaten by humans, it will have consequences for human health such as poisoning and can cause ataxia, decreased speech and hearing ability, tremors, dysarthria and ultimately death.

Morphometric Analysis of Different Parameters for Labeo boga from Head Panjnad, Alipur, Punjab, Pakistan

This study was designed to analyze the external morphometric characteristics of Labeoboga from Head Panjnad, Alipur, Punjab, Pakistan. About 48 specimens were collected and examined to address the growth patterns of the species under study for the first time, together with their morphometric characteristics for the analysis of morphological characters. The analysis of the present results for the length-weight relationship revealed that the value of regression coefficient ‘b’ was <3.0 according to the cube law, showing a negative allometric growth pattern (b = 2.710). Additionally, a highly significant positive correlation (r > 0.931; P < 0.05) was recorded for the correlation value ‘r’ among weight and length. A linear correlation was observed among 11 morphometric characters vs total length (TL), which revealed a highly significant correlation between total length vs standard length, body weight, fork length, dorsal fin length, body girth, body depth, anal fin length, and pectoral fin length, respectively. While, a moderate correlation was recorded between total length vs head length, eye diameter, and caudal peduncle length. Furthermore, the same trend was observed in the correlation significance between total body weight and other morphometric characters. The current study would be helpful for ichthyologists and zoologists in comparing different morphometric characteristics of Labeoboga.

Allometric Growth Patterns and Ontogenetic Development during Early Larval Stages of Schizothorax waltoni Regan and Percocypris retrodorslis in Southwest China

Due to a sharp decline in resources, Schizothorax waltoni Regan and Percocypris retrodorslis have been listed as wildlife under second-class protection in China. Under culture conditions, the early development and allometric growth patterns of S. waltoni and P. retrodorslis were researched from the hatching stage to 60 DPHs (days post-hatching), and a sampling of ten to fifteen larvae was made every day, followed by measurements with Axio Vision 4.8 software (Carl Zeiss AG, Jena, Germany). Morphological indicators included the anal fin length, the body depth, the body depth at the anus level, the caudal fin length, the dorsal fin length, the eye diameter, the head length, the head depth, the pectoral fin length, the tail length, the trunk length, the snout length, the total length, and the ventral fin length. Based on the morphology development of S. waltoni Regan and P. retrodorslis, four periods of larval growth were identified: pre-flexion larvae at 0–14 DPHs and 0–16 DPHs; flexion larvae at 14–23 DPHs and 16–26 DPHs, post-flexion larvae at 23–50 DPHs and 26–52 DPHs, and the juvenile stage. In newly hatched larvae, most organs and body parts were not differentiated, and they successively developed within 26 DPHs. The depletion of the yolk sac was observed at 23 DPHs and 25 DPHs. Allometric growth mainly occurs in the head and tail regions, indicating that body parts related to feeding and swimming behaviors were more important than the other parts. In addition, the growth pattern shows that the development of organs gives priority to the functions of gill respiration, sensation, exogenous feeding, and swimming. The inflection points of body part growth patterns only appeared before 40 DAH, so future studies should concentrate focus on developing the best feeding from the first feeding to 40 DAH. These outcomes were discussed with regard to the ontogeny of the functional morphology in relation to ecology and aquaculture. It is expected that this research can provide valuable perspectives in species conservation.

Genetic variation between hybrid (Labeo rohita ♂, Cirrhinus mrigala ♀ and Labeo rohita) by RAPD marker.

The present work was to study the genetic variability between the major carps Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala and their hybrids of L. rohita (male♂) and C. mrigala (female♀). Genetic variability was studied by employing RAPD molecular markers. 25 samples of each target species having different sizes with the same age group for the determination of interspecific variation were collected. The morphometric parameters such as body weight, total length, tail length, and lengths of dorsal and anal fins of each individual were recorded and results showed that wet body weight, total length, dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail fin length are positively correlated and then the DNA was extracted using the inorganic salt-based method and conformed by Gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four arbitrary decamer primers were used to get species-specific RAPD analysis Distinct and highly reproducible RAPD profiles with significant genetic variability was detected among species. Only five primers showed amplification. The RAPAD primer OPB-05 produced a total of seven bands out of these 5 monomorphic and 2 polymorphic, so in this case, the percentage polymorphism was 28.57%. The Hybrid show more than a 50% difference from the Labeo rohita. This shows that the Hybrid more resembles C.mrigala. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that hybrid (L. rohita ♂ X Cirrhinus mrigala ♀) is the closest to C. mrigala and the farthest from L. rohita. Overall data are presented concerning the applications of RAPD markers for hybrid identification, genetic diversity assessment, and studying taxonomic relationships at a molecular level.

Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov., a new cichlid species (Actinopterygii: Cichlidae) from the Congo Drainage

A new dwarf cichlid, Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov., (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) is described from the central Congo basin. It is a species of Congochromis based on the following characters: (1) four pores in the dentary laterosensory canal; (2) absence of a laterosensory canal in the angulo-articular, (3) six pores in the preopercle laterosensory canal; (4) a single tubular infraorbital bone behind the lachrymal; (5) 12 circumpeduncular scales; (6) jaw teeth comparatively robust, unicuspids, not closely spaced; and (7) presence of a small, supraneural bone. Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Congochromis species by the combination of the following characters: (1) a larger eye diameter (31.435.1% HL), (2) a shorter snout length (29.832.7% HL), (3) a shorter upper lip length (29.232.0% HL), (4) a shorter lower lip length (26.233.6% HL), (5) a shorter lower lip width (27.731.2% HL), and (6) a shorter anal-fin length (15.316.97% SL). Diagnostic characters were extracted mainly from meristic counts and distance measurements from 326 chromidotilapiine cichlid specimens representing all chromidotilapiine genera and 40 described or undescribed species. The analysis of the complete meristic and distance measurements database allowed the diagnosis of C. rotundiceps sp. nov., but not for diagnostic separation of many other chromidotilapiine genera, species, and lineages. This result highlights the necessity to explore additional characters to elucidate chromidotilapiine cichlid taxonomy further.

Vanmaneniamarmorata, a new species of loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China.

BackgroundThe gastromyzontid genus Vanmanenia was established by Hora in 1932, based on the type species Vanmaneniastenosoma. The genus is a loach group adapted to running waters of streams from southern China, northern Vietnam and Laos. Currently, 19 valid species of the genus have been recognised. The northernmost distribution of the genus is the Yangtze River (= Chang-Jiang in Chinese) Basin and five species (V.maculata, V.intermedia, V.stenosoma, V.pseudostriata and V.gymnetrus) have been reported from the Basin.New informationVanmaneniamarmorata, a new hillstream species of loach, is here described from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China. It is distinguished from its congeners by having a combination of the following characters: three triangular-shaped rostral lobules; postdorsal saddles wider than interspaces; a more backwards-placed anus (the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% of the pelvic to anal distance); a larger gill opening with its upper extremity reaching the level of the middle of the orbit; anal-fin base length 5.6–6.4% of SL; caudal-peduncle length 11.6–12.9% of SL; prepelvic length 51.1–53.4% of SL. Its validity is also affirmed by its distinct cyt b gene sequence divergence with all sampled congeners and its monophyly recovered in a cyt b gene-based phylogenetic analysis.

Morpho-meristics, maturity stages, GSI and gonadal hormone plasticity of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) that invaded into the Ganga River, India

BackgroundAfrican catfish Clarias gariepinus introduced to India has gravitated into the Ganga River as an invasive species. Morphological plasticity and reproductive adaptation are considered and reported as important manifestation contributing to evolution and persistence of an invasive species in the novel environment facilitating its expansion and establishment. African catfish in the Ganga River although documented to exist, it is yet to investigate if it elicits adaptation responses through morphological and reproductive plasticity in the riverine conditions. Therefore, morpho-meristic changes, plasticity in the reproductive stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal hormones were examined in C. gariepinus that invaded into the Ganga River so as to ascertain its invasion success.ResultsOut of 23 morpho-meristic characters examined, head length (HL), head depth (HD), anal fin length (AFL) and the pectoral fin rays (PECFR) were observed to differ significantly (p<0.05). The correlation coefficient ‘r’ between log length and log weight was found to be 0.9690 in culture and 0.8754 in river-caught specimens respectively. A distinct deviation in the maturity stages, GSI as well as gonadal hormones (testosterone, estradiol 17-β and vitellogenin) was further observed to change significantly in specimens of African catfish captured from the Ganga River as compared to those available in culture. Highest level of testosterone was found in males having gonadal stage V which was 184.82±10.4 pg/ml in culture and 204.82±21.34 pg/ml in river-captured specimens. The mean value of serum estradiol-17β was lowest (67.25±11.4 pg/ml) in gonadal maturity stage I and highest (328.73±24.5 pg/ml) in stage V in the river-captured C. gariepinus. The vitellogenin level in female C. gariepinus was detected in stage III, and it was maximum in stage V where it was 16.68±2.98 pg/ml in river-captured specimens and 12.63±2.12 pg/ml in cultured fish.ConclusionThe results of this study on morpho-meristic and gonadal plasticity provide first evidence of invasion success of the African catfish gravitated in the Ganga River which has now adapted to the river environments for breeding and establishing. The variations concerning different reproductive phases and the gonadal hormones in culture and river-caught C. gariepinus have been considered to contribute to the success of the colonisation and establishment. The knowledge generated on the phenotypic and reproductive plasticity of African catfish available in the Ganga River will help management and control programmes.

Re-description of the loach species Leptobotia citrauratea (Teleostei, Botiidae), with the description of L. brachycephala from southern Zhejiang Province, China.

Leptobotia citrauratea (Nichols, 1925), a loach species, originally described from Dongting Lake, was recently rehabilitated, based on the examination of the holotype and non-topotypical specimens. Several field surveys conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, P.R. China, yielded many specimens of Leptobotia which were initially identified as L. citrauratea. Molecular and morphological analyses of these specimens demonstrated that two distinct species are involved. One was identified as L. citrauratea, represented by specimens from both the Poyang and Dongting Lake (type locality) systems in Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, and the other species is described as L. brachycephala, represented by specimens from the Ou-Jiang and Qu-Jiang, two coastal rivers of Zhejiang Province, China. Leptobotia brachycephala resembles L. citrauratea and L. micra in having a row of orange dots or an orange stripe along the dorsal mid-line of the body, extending from the nape to the caudal-fin base – a unique character in Leptobotia. Leptobotia brachycephala differs from L. citrauratea and L. micra Bohlen & Šlechtová, 2017, in caudal-fin shape and pelvic-fin insertion and proportional measurements including caudal-fin length, head length, predorsal length and anal-fin length. Its species status was further corroborated by position in a molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the mitochondrial cyt b gene and its minimum uncorrected p-distance (2.9%) from congeneric species.

Seasonal change in male reproductive investment of a fish

Many animals are sexually dimorphic, whereby males may display brighter body coloration and more distinctive ornamentation than females. Fishes in temperate regions markedly change their energy allocation toward reproduction in response to the seasonal environment. Seasonal change in reproductive investment affects the expression of sexually dimorphic traits in males through gonadal weight change. Here, we report seasonal changes in body size, testis weight and sexual dimorphism of the fins (anal fin length and dorsal fin length) in the northern medaka Oryzias sakaizumii. Fish were collected periodically from a wild population (Aomori). Gonad weight increased from May to July in both males and females, corresponding to the reproductive season. Moreover, during this period, the degree of sexual dimorphism in fin length increased. To investigate the relationship between testis weight and individual differences in male fin length, we analyzed relationships among morphological traits using structural equation modeling. In the reproductive season, increased testis weight was associated with longer fin length in males, but the relationship disappeared after the reproductive season. These observations suggest that the sexually dimorphic fin in this fish is a mating signal. Results from a mating experiment also support this view. Males with larger size and/or longer fin attracted more mates than those with smaller fins, suggesting that sexual selection operates through females choosing to mate with males having longer fins.

Morphometric and meristic analyses of Randall’s threadfin bream Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986 along the Indian coast

Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986 is one of the commercially important demersal fish in Indian waters. The present study was designed to understand the morphometric and meristic variations between the stocks of N. randalli along the Indian coast. A total of 450 samples were collected from 5 maritime states during September 2018 to November 2018. A total of 19 morphometric and 9 meristic traits were extracted and subjected to statistical analyses. Factor analysis showed that morphometric characteristics like eye diameter, head length, pre-pectoral length, post-orbital length, anal fin length and caudal peduncle depth were significant in separating the stocks. Discriminant function analysis showed a high re-classification success rate of 80.43%. Kruskal-Wallis test of meristic traits revealed lack of difference between the stocks. Results indicated the presence of different phenotypic stocks along the Indian coast and therefore the need for separate management strategies for sustaining the catch of N. randalli in the future.

COMPARISONS OF MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF EUROPEAN EEL (ANGUILLA ANGUILLA L., 1758) IN TURKISH INLAND WATERS

European eels are found in all European rivers draining to seas. Comparisons of some morphometric characteristics and length-weight relationship parameters of European eel “Anguilla anguilla” collected from inland waters of Turkey were performed in this work. The 108 fish samples used in the current work were taken from the museum of Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University; they were captured from different running water bodies. Morphometric features like total length, weight, head length, head height, maximum body height, eye diameter, inter-orbital distance, snout length, dorsal fin length, anal fin length, pectoral fin length, predorsal distance, and preanal distance of the fish were measured. In addition, head length/maximum body height, head length/snout length, head length/head height, head length/total length, eye diameter/head length, eye diameter/inter-orbital distance, eye diameter/snout length and predorsal distance/preanal distance ratios were calculated. The analysed specimens ranged in total length from 12.70 to 64.10 cm, and in weight between 3.21 and 416.14 g. The length-weight relationship parameters were estimated as a=0.011, b=3.154; while r2 was calculated as 0.956.

Some Morphometric Relationships of Wels catfish (Silurus glanis L., 1758) Inhabiting Sıddıklı Dam (Kırşehir, Turkey)

This study aims to investigate the relationships among morphometric characters of Wels catfish with total length and find the best model to assess relationships. A total of 198 fish samples was caught in Sıddıklı Dam between September 2015 and August 2016 in this study. The morphometric measures taken were: Total length (TL), Anal fin length (AFL), pectoral fin rays length (PFRL), body height (BH), head length (HL), and head height (HH). No significant differences were noted between the pectoral fin rays (PFRL) of females and males, while the significant differences were observed in the morphometric measurements (TL, AFL, BH, HL, and HH) of females and males. The linear and non-linear models were used in this study, in order to determine relationships between morphometric characters and total length. The linear model is the best fit for all relationships, so this model is preferred for all calculates. All relationships were highly significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001, r2 &amp;gt; 0.81) and the mean percent prediction errors were less than 10%. We found that AFL, PFRL, BH, HL, and HH are a good indicator for fish total length and are important for determining the length of Wels catfish. However, the best model was the relationship between anal fin length and total length for estimation of fish length in males and females. The data of the study provides novel information on relationships between morphometric characters for Wels catfish.

Morphometric Attributes and their Controlling Elements in Himalayan Snow Trout,Schizothorax labiatus inhabiting Vishav Stream of South Kashmir,India

The morphometric analysis was carried out in indigenous cyprinid food fish, Schizothorax labiatus (a species of snow trout) collected from Vishav stream, a perennial cold water stream of Kashmir valley, India, wherein various morphometric characters viz., Total Length (TL), Standard Length (SL), Fork Length (FL), Pre-dorsal Length (PDL), Pre-pectoral Length (PPL), Pre-pelvic Length (PPeL), Pre-anal Length (PAL), Anal Fin Length (AL), Head Length (HL), Height of Dorsal Fin (HOD), Snout Length (SnL), Body Depth (BD), Eye Diameter (ED), Inter Orbital Length (IOL), Caudal Fin Length (CL) and Caudal Depth (CD) of 104 fish specimens were measured, correlated and analysed. The morphometric data was calculated in the percentage of total length except SnL, ED and IOL which were calculated in the percentage of HL. The result revealed that the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.770 to 0.995 in proportion to TL and 0.706 to 0.859 in proportion to HL which indicates that all the morphometric characters are highly correlated. All the correlations were significant at the level of p<0.01. During the investigation, the results revealed that in the % of TL, 8 characters were found to be genetically controlled 4 characters as intermediate and none character as environmentally controlled one. In the % of HL, 1 character was found to be included in intermediate character, 2 characters in environmentally controlled characters and none in purely genetically controlled one. As revealed by the regression analysis of different morphometric characters in proportion to TL, the maximum growth was obtained for FL (b = 0.9664) and the minimum growth was obtained for AL (b = 0.0655) and in proportion to HL, the maximum growth was obtained for IOL (b = 0.4689) and the minimum growth was obtained for ED (b = 0.0852).

Stocks delineation of bull’s eye fish (Priacanthus hamrur) in Indian water using morphometric measurements and meristic counts

The Moontail bull’s eye (Priacanthus hamrur) is one of the commonly available fish species found in the deep sea and under ledges or hovering next to coral heads during the day. In the present study, around 300 specimens were collected from different location in east and west coast of India including Kakinada, Kolkata, Cochin and Mumbai to investigate the stock differentiation among the populations. A total of 14 morphometric traits and 10 meristic counts were studied. The descriptive statistics of morphometric traits indicated the much larger growth in populations of west coast compares to the east coast. The meristic traits were not much efficient in identifying the stocks. Pre pelvic fin length, post anal fin length, post dorsal length, pre dorsal fin length, head length, eye diameter, body depth, caudal peduncle depth and dorsal fin base helped in the separation of stocks. All the four stocks have separate morphometric features. The present study will provide the baseline information on the stock characteristics of P. hamrur from Indian water and management measures of the resources for sustainable utilization.