Additions to Philippine slender skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) IV: Resurrection and redescription of Brachymeles burksi

The diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles has increased over the last few decades, in part due to re-evaluation of species formerly believed to be widespread. Many of these investigations of widespread species have uncovered multiple closely related cryptic lineages comprising species complexes, each restricted to individual Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes (PAICs). One group in particular for which widespread cryptic diversity has been common is the clade of Philippine skinks of the genus Brachymeles. Recent phylogenetic studies of the formerly recognized widespread species Brachymeles bonitae have indicated that this species is actually a complex distributed across several major PAICs and smaller island groups in the central and northern Philippines, with numerous species that exhibit an array of digit loss and limb reduction patterns. Despite the recent revisions to the B. bonitae species complex, studies suggest that unique cryptic lineages still exist within this group. In this paper, we resurrect the species Brachymeles burksi Taylor 1917, for a lineage of non-pentadactyl, semi-fossorial skink from Mindoro and Marinduque islands. First described in 1917, B. burksi was synonymized with B. bonitae in 1956, and has rarely been reconsidered since. Evaluation of genetic and morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements), and comparison of recently-obtained specimens to Taylor’s original description support this species’ recognition, as does its insular distribution on isolated islands in the central portions of the archipelago. Morphologically, B. burksi is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a suite of unique phenotypic characteristics, including a small body size, digitless limbs, a high number of presacral vertebrae, the absence of auricular openings, and discrete (non-overlapping) meristic scale counts. The recognition of this central Philippine species further increases the diversity of non-pentadactyl members of the B. bonitae complex, and reinforces the biogeographic uniqueness of the Mindoro faunal region. KEYWORDS: biodiversity, endemism, faunal region, fossoriality, limb reduction

Morphometric, Meristic and Conditional Factor Characterization of Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) in Lake Komadugu, Yobe State, Nigeria

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.

Morphological differentiation in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from three different populations in Nigeria

Intraspecific 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

Length-weight relationship, morphometric characters, and meristic counts of the coldwater fish Crossocheilus diplochilus (Heckel) from Dal Lake

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.

Morphometric and Meristic Analysis of Tor putitora (Hamilton Buchanan) from Ujh River, Kathua (J&K)

The morphology of fishes has been the major source of information for taxonomic and evolutionary studies. The present communication deals with the taxonomic analysis of Golden Mahseer- Tor putitora, collected from river Ujh, a tributary of Ravi in District Kathua, (Jammu & Kashmir). The morphological characters are generally divided into two major categories, the morphometric and the meristic. For morphometric studies the parameters considered were: the total length, standard length, head length, pre-dorsal length, pre-ventral length, pre-anal length, caudal length, snout length, eye diameter and maximum body depth. The growth of parameters were studied in relation to three independent variables, i.e., total length, standard length and the head length. Meristic counts of fin rays and fin spines etc. were also studied.

Morphometric and meristic characters of Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822) occurring in Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system of West Bengal, India

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.

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.

Identification of past and present gobies: distinguishing Gobius and Pomatoschistus (Teleostei: Gobioidei) species using characters of otoliths, meristics and body morphometry

Gobies (Gobiidae + Oxudercidae) are among the largest groups of extant marine fishes. Fossils of gobies are abundant since the Miocene, and many species have been reported so far. However, delimitation of fossil goby species is challenging because molecular markers and diagnostic traits such as the disposition of sensory head papillae are lost. This study provides, for the first time, an actualistic framework for the identification of fossil goby species. We focus on characters that can in principle be recognized in fossils, and evaluate their ability to discriminate between extant goby species based on statistical analyses. Using 14 extant species of Gobius and seven species of Pomatoschistus, we conducted otolith morphometry, elliptic Fourier shape analysis of otoliths using the package ‘Momocs’, conventional fish morphometry, and meristic counts. In addition, the otoliths of all species are depicted based on SEM images and briefly described. Otolith Fourier shape analysis proved to be most efficient in discrimination of species within both genera, Gobius and Pomatoschistus. Several characters used in the other approaches also worked well, but the results were variable, and the relative taxonomic significance of particular variables tended to change depending on the species under consideration. We propose otolith shape analysis as a powerful tool to explore ancient goby species diversity when samples with abundant fossil otoliths are present. Overall, the herein presented data will greatly facilitate delimitation of fossil goby species in future studies, and will consequently shed new light on the evolution of goby diversity and biogeography through time.

Sexual dimorphism in the Spotted Stinger Inimicus sinensis (Valenciennes, 1833) and notes on pore structures on the body

Spotted stinger individuals, Inimicus sinensis, collected from Carles, Iloilo, Philippines exhibited previously-unreported sexual dimorphism. Thirty-three morphological measurements, including standard length, and fourteen meristic counts from 99 specimens (47 males and 52 females) were analyzed for sexual dimorphism. Most morphometric characters differed significantly between the sexes, whereas no differences were found in meristic counts. Dorsal and anal-fin and free pectoral-fin ray lengths were greater in male specimens. On the other hand, the head and body region were relatively larger in female specimens. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted two principal components from significantly different parameters, which explained 62.29 % of the cumulative variances. Variations in the two major components resulted from: head width, upper jaw, lower jaw, snout, pre-dorsal, pre-anal-fin, and anal-fin base lengths in PC1 (45.65 %); and orbit diameter and anal-fin base length in PC2 (16.64 %). Additionally, a single anterolateral pore on the body and pores above the lateral-line are described, although no evidence of association with other organs was found.

Morphological variations and phylogenetic analysis of Oryzias nigrimas Kottelat, 1990 (Rice fish) from Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Serdiati N, Arfiati D, Widodo MS, Lelono TJ, Ndobe S, Saranga R. 2020. Morphological variations and phylogenetic analysis of Oryzias nigrimas Kottelat, 1990 (Rice fish) from Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 882-888. Rice fish (Oryzias nigrimas Kottelat, 1990) is a well-studied species endemic to Lake Poso, Sulawesi and identified as scarce. This study aims to identify the Rice fish of Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi based on morphological characters (15 morphometric characters and 5 meristic counts) and phylogenetic analysis using maximum-likelihood (ML) method based on mtDNA, CO1 gene. Based on the morphological analysis, it was showed that the meristic counts show significantly different only on the lateral line scale. However, the morphometric measurements show significantly different characteristics on postorbital distance, body depth, and length of jaw. Our phylogenetic analysis also showed that our samples are indeed a species of O. nigrimas. We suggest that the endemicity of this Rice fish on Lake Poso is greatly influenced by the well-maintained genetic structure of the population.