scholarly journals The Anadromous Hickory Shad (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae, Alosa mediocris [Mitchill 1814]): Morphometric and Meristic Variation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan P. Smith ◽  
Michael S. Brewer ◽  
Roger A. Rulifson

AbstractThe anadromous Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris (Mitchill, 1814) (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) is reviewed, specifically regarding morphometric and meristic variation. Despite its long history as recognized species, few descriptions of Hickory Shad morphometric and meristic characters exist in the literature. Most authors of the historic literature have failed to provide capture location for specimens, analyze large numbers of Hickory Shad, or document how morphometric and meristic characters of the species vary spatially. To address this information gap, a total of 717 mature Hickory Shad were collected from 23 different locations in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida using electroshocking, gill net, or rod and reel. All specimens were frozen, thawed, and 17 morphometric characters and four meristic characters were examined; a random subset (n = 463) were analyzed for an additional four meristic counts of gill rakers. Overall specimens ranged from 206-389 mm SL with a mean + SD of 278.41 + 27.69 mm, 232-435 mm FL with a mean of 310.98 + 30.35 mm, and 272-508 mm TL with a mean of 365.62 + 35.52 mm. The linear relationships between FL and TL, and FL and SL, were investigated and found to be: TL = 1.169*FL + 1.660 (n=705, r2=0.995) and SL = 0.909*FL - 4.274 (n=717, r2=0.992). Substantial differences in character means for many morphometric measurements were found between male and female specimens, suggesting strong sexual dimorphisms relating to shape. However, meristic characters did not show differences in character means by sex. No one morphometric measurement could distinguish Hickory Shad from other morphologically similar clupeids, but the meristic count of gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch were important to separate Hickory Shad (19-22) from American Shad A. sapidissima (Wilson, 1811), Alewife A. pseudoharengus (Wilson, 1811), and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis (Mitchill, 1814).

<em>Abstract</em>.—The anadromous Atlantic sturgeon <em>Acipenser oxyrinchus</em> once supported an important commercial fishery throughout its range (northern Florida, USA, to Labrador, Canada). All surviving populations are apparently depleted, presumably due to overfishing, pollution, and dam construction. A complete moratorium on the fishery has been established in U.S. waters. Unfortunately, population status is unknown for nearly all systems. Several 1994–2001 data sets from South Carolina rivers were examined for their potential in development of recruitment (year-class abundance) indices. Because Atlantic sturgeon often begin leaving their natal systems at age 2, after which they occupy other systems and then presumably return to natal areas at sexual maturity several years later, a valid river-specific abundance index must be based on either age0–1 or adult fish. Working with three former commercial Atlantic sturgeon fishermen to collect adults in two rivers during the spring and fall of 1998 resulted in collection of only 39 fish in 13 nominal age-classes. In another river, 2 years of monthly sampling with multipanel, anchored gill nets and otter trawls at eight stations throughout the estuary produced only 31 juvenile Atlantic sturgeon. Neither of these study designs provided adequate sample sizes. However, sampling in a clean-bottom section at the freshwater–brackish water interface of the Edisto River with a modified drift gill net produced large numbers of small Atlantic sturgeon. More than 3,000 juveniles have been collected and tagged since 1994. The 1,331 nominal age-1 Atlantic sturgeon that were captured displayed a distinct bimodal length frequency distribution, supporting the hypothesis that there are both spring and fall spawning events. A period of record drought impeded sampling efforts during a portion of this study. However, when flows and bottom configurations allow nets to be fished at the freshwater–brackish water interface, the gears and methods employed in the Edisto River can produce an age-1 Atlantic sturgeon catch per unit effort that is high enough to be used in estimating relative year-class strength.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-224
Author(s):  
Kousar Jan ◽  
Imtiaz Ahmed

Abstract Schizothorax labiatus (McClelland) is considered to be one of the most economically important fish species among Schizothorax spp. A total of twenty-four morphometric and five meristic characters were examined; 18 of the morphometric characters as percentages of total length and four characters as percentages of head length were studied. It was found that the characters of standard length, fork length, pre pelvic length, pre anal length, and pre dorsal length had the highest correlations with total length, whereas dorsal fin height followed by caudal fin height had the lowest correlations. In percentages of head length post orbital length had the highest correlation whereas snout length had the lowest correlation. Overall, the results revealed that all the morphometric characters exhibited linear relationships and depicted significantly (P < 0.05) high degree of correlation, while the meristic characters counted were constant in all sizes of S. labiatus, indicating that they were independent of body size. The study provided basic information that will be useful for fish biologists and researchers in the future management and conservation of this fish species.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Muzamil Sidiq ◽  
Imtiaz Ahmed ◽  
Yahya Bakhtiyar

Abstract Morphometric and meristic characters are very important for the identification of any fish specimen. The present study aims to describe the morphometric and meristic characters of the indigenous fish Crossocheilus diplochilus (Heckel) from Dal Lake. This fish is commonly known as Kashmir latia and is called tether locally. In the present study, the material analyzed was 70 specimens ranging in size from 6.9–13 cm (TL) with a mean length of 10.8 cm and a weight range of 3.2–24.0 g with a mean weight of 10.1 g. The parameters with the highest correlations with total length were standard length and fork length at 0.983 and 0.989, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that all morphometric characters changed proportionally as total length increased. The meristic counts analyzed in the present study remained constant in fish of different sizes indicating that they are independent of body size. The study of morphometric characters is very important to determine the growth rate of these fish, which, in turn, is required to properly manage its populations.


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1220-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Copeman

The phenetic relationships are investigated between 13 samples of sexually mature rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, from 12 collecting sites including representatives of anadromous and landlocked populations. Data on 32 mensural and meristic characters were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the samples fell into three distinct groups composed of the anadromous, normal freshwater, and stunted freshwater populations. Mean values of the mensural and some meristic characters decreased across these three groups; some other meristics increased. It is doubtful whether the magnitude of the observed meristic variation represents solely a plastic environmental response.The two freshwater stunted samples were 100% separable from the freshwater normal and anadromous samples using all the data, and 92.5 and 97.5% separable using one (total gill rakers) and all meristics, respectively. The identification success and other published biological data indicate that they fulfill the criteria for species recognition.Between anadromous and normal freshwater groups 99.2% correct identification was achieved when all data were used. Using only one and two meristics (total gill rakers and total vertebrae), 89.1 and 91.4% correct identification was achieved, which suggests subspecific status for these two groups.When the freshwater normal and anadromous groups were analyzed separately, more variation was seen within the freshwater group. Evidence of year-to-year variation was seen from the analysis of the anadromous samples and evidence for a genetic basis is presented. Key words: Osmerus mordax, population, anadromous, freshwater stunted, variation, meristic, multivariate, taxonomy


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nur ◽  
M.Fadjar Rahardjo ◽  
Charles P.H. Simanjuntak ◽  
Djumanto Djumanto ◽  
Krismono Krismono

Pirik (Lagusia micracanthus Bleeker, 1860) is one of endemic fishes in Sulawesi. Morphometric and meristic information of Pirik population in various habitats are unknown. The present study aimed to determine the morphometric and meristic variation of Pirik in Maros and Wallanae Cenrana watersheds. Sampling collection was carried out monthly from May 2018 to April 2019 in the Maros watershed, namely Pattunuang River (M1), Bantimurung River (M2), Pucak River (M3); and in Wallanae Cenrana watershed particularly in Camba River (W1), Sanrego River (W2), and Ompo River (W3). Morphometric measurements consisted of 31 characters and meristic measurements consisted of 10 characters. Morphometric data was standardized by dividing all morphometric characters by standard length (SL). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and discriminant analysis (Discriminant Function Analysis) were applied for data analysis. The results showed that the Pirik taken from rivers in the Maros and Wallanae Cenrana watershed are two different population groups. There are 12 distinguishing morphometric features for Pirik of the Maros and Wallanae Cenrana watershed, i.e. TL (total length), SL (standard length), BDdSA (body depth-dorsal fin origin), HL (head length), Jlup (upper-jaw length), PAfL (pre-anal fin length), ABL (Anal fin base length), PelRL (pelvic ray length), AFRL (anal fin ray length), CPL (caudal peduncle length), CLLup (upper caudal lobe length) and CLLmid (mid-caudal length). There is no significant difference of meristic characters of Pirik obtained from the Maros and Wallanae Cenraa watersheds.


Author(s):  
Eze Felix ◽  
Eyo Victor Oscar ◽  
Abraham Oghenemarho Victory

This research was carried out to study the morphological characteristics of Coptodon zillii from Lake Komadugu in Yobe State, Nigeria using morphometric measurements, meristic counts and length-weight relationship. A total of 60 specimens of Coptodon zillii were purchased from the fisher folks at landing site in Lake Komadugu, examined and analyzed for morphometric and meristic characterization. The results revealed that all the morphometric characters of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu varied whereas some meristic characters including mean number of rays on pectoral fin (8.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin ray (5.00 ± 0.00), anal fin spine (3.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin spine (1.00 ± 0.00) and number of lateral line (2.00 ± 0.00) were constant. A significant linear relationship was established and represented by the equation: W =0.008SL2.097 (r =0.6410 d.f. = 58) for male, W =0.001SL3.013 (r = 0.9600 d.f. = 58) for female. Mean condition factor which was not significantly different (p>0.05) showed that male C. zillii had 1.80 ± 0.27, female (1.92± 0.26) and pooled sex (1.86 ± 0.25). Findings of this study implies that C. zillii from Lake Komadugu are in good health. In conclusion, these findings are very useful in stock assessment, population dynamics, sustainable management and conservative measures of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu.


2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dibakar Bhakta ◽  
Sudhir Kumar Das ◽  
Basanta Kumar Das ◽  
T. S. Nagesh

The present study analysed the morphometric and meristic characters of Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822) collected from the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system of West Bengal, India. A total of 618 specimens (298 males and 320 female) were collected during the period of 18 months from November 2016 to April 2018 with length ranging from 100-384 mm and weight 7.29-470.71 g, respectively. The analysis of 14 morphometric characters revealed that standard length has the fastest growth rate when compared to total length, while eye diameter has the lowest growth rate when compared with head length. A high degree of significant positive correlation with the ‘r’ values ranging from 0.978 to 0.997 was observed among different morphometric characters of O. pama. Among nine of the meristic counts, the coefficient of variation was found to be highest in anal fin rays (6.31%) and minimum in dorsal fin rays (1.12%). Based on the meristic counts, the fin formula of O. pama from the present study can be described as B. 7 , D. 9-10/1/44-45, P. i/16-17, V. 1/5 , A. 2/7-8, C. 19-21, L. 48-52. The number of gill rakers on the first left gill arch ranged from 19-21.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Popoola Omoniyi Michael ◽  
Olagunju Oluwatosin Olubunmi

AbstractIntraspecific morphological variation in Clarias gariepinus was studied in three water bodies. Twenty-three morphometric characteristics and seven meristic were used. Principal component (PC) analysis showed that morphometric traits of River Osun and Ogbese were somewhat related while that of Aago showed no relatedness, there were no difference among the meristic counts of the populations. PC1, and PC2 accounted for 93% and 4% of the variation observed in the populations. High positive correlation was observed in Aago (r = 0.872, b = 2.10) and Ogbese population while low correlation and negative allometric growth (r = 0.425 and b= 1.38) was observed in Asejire population. Cluster analysis revealed that three studied populations are separated into two major clusters, with samples from Asejire and Ogbese population found within the same cluster but different sub- clusters, similarly some of samples from Aago were also within the same cluster while samples 10 were found on a separate and major cluster. The study confirms the variability among individual species within each population, indicates the presence of genetic diversity among the populations of C. gariepinus and the Pre-anal distance and dorsal fin ray count could be employed in the identification of populations of catfish. Key words: morphometric traits, meristic characters, populations, allometric


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-241
Author(s):  
Syeda Ismat Ara ◽  
Mohammad Ali Azadi ◽  
Munira Nasiruddin ◽  
Aftab Hossain

A total of 65 specimens of Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822), measuring from 8.1 cm to 28.9 cm in total length, collected from the Sitakunda coast of the Bay of Bengal, were used for the morphometric analysis during the period between March 2016 and February 2018. Twenty seven morphometric characters were selected and studied during the investigation period. The regression equations – both arithmetic and logarithmic – between the total length (TL) and 21 morphometric characters, and head length (HL) with five morphometric characters related to the head, were determined. The value of coefficient of correlation ‘r’ for each relationship was calculated and t-test for each ‘r’ value was also done. The relationships of the various measurements of the body with the total length – and head length with the five relevant characters -of R. corsula from the Sitakunda coast of the Bay of Bengal showed linear relationships, which were highly significant (P<0.01). The ranges of ‘b’ values 0.967 to 1.346 in case of the relationships between TL and 21 relevant characters, whereas 0.906 to 1.236 in case of the relationships between HL and 5 relevant characters. These values differ insignificantly (P>0.01) with typical value b=1 indicating isometric relationships among the characters. Bangladesh J. Zool. 49 (2): 229-241, 2021


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3(SI)) ◽  
pp. 887-894
Author(s):  
M. Sarower-E-Mahfuj ◽  
◽  
S.K. Das ◽  
K.N. Azad ◽  
A.K. Paul ◽  
...  

Aim: Landmark-based truss network system was applied to examine the morphometric and meristic differences among four different populaces of Macrognathus aculeatus namely; Dhakuriabeel, Jashore (DBJ); Arial Kha River, Madaripur (AKRM); Nabaganga River, Jhenaidah (NRJ); Kopotakkha River, Jashore (KRJ) in Bangladesh. Methodology: Completely 80 samples of M. aculeatus were collected (20 individuals from each population) for this study. Six meristic characters, 6 morphometric characters and 15 truss-based morphometric characters were measured for one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-HSD post hoc test. Discriminant function analyses were also performed by using morphometric and truss-based morphometric characters to detect potential characters responsible for population separation. Results: Completely 80 samples of M. aculeatus were collected (20 individuals from each population) for this study. Six meristic characters, 6 morphometric characters and 15 truss-based morphometric characters were measured for one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-HSD post hoc test. Discriminant function analyses were also performed by using morphometric and truss-based morphometric characters to detect potential characters responsible for population separation. Interpretation: The baseline information derived from the present study would be useful for appropriate conservation of M. aculeatus populations as well as for the researchers for further investigation.


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