Biometric analysis of oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps (Valenciennes, 1847) from Mumbai coast of Maharashtra, India

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1 n Journal of Geo Marine Sciences Vol. 46 (09), September 2017, pp Biometric analysis of oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps (Valenciennes, 1847) from Mumbai coast of Maharashtra, Surendra Kumar Ahirwal 1*, A. K. Jaiswar 2 & S. K. Chakraborty 2 ICAR-Research Complex For Eastern Region 1, Division of Livestock & Fisheries Management, ICAR Parisar, P.O.: B. V. College, Patna , Bihar, Central Institute of Fisheries Education 2, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai , [ surendraahirwal@gmail.com ] Received 28 May 2015 ; revised 30 October 2016 Measurements of 785 specimens consisting of 378 male and 407 female were recorded during August 2013 to May The size of males ranged from 107 to 203 mm and weighed between 9.63 to 67.61g, while of females, ranged from 109 to 208 mm in length and 7.98 to 66.45g in weight. Among the compared characters, coefficient of correlation (r) was highest for total length against standard length (0.9597) and lowest for head length against body depth (0.7422). Based on the present investigation on meristic characters, the fin formula can be written as B 5-6 D P V 8-9 A C The length-weight relationship was established as W= L for male, W= L for female and W= L for pooled, indicating positive allometric relationship. However, condition factor suggested the species to be in average condition throughout the year in both sexes except the month of May. [Keywords: Sardinella longiceps, morphometric, meristic, length-weight relationship, condition factor, Mumbai, Maharashtra] Introduction Morphometric measurements and meristic counts are considered as convenient and wellattested methods for identification of fish species termed as morphological systematics 1. Morphometric characters are important for identifying and classifying fishes 2. The study has provided useful results for identifying the marine fish stocks and describing their spatial distribution also 3. The relationship between length and weight of different species of fish varies due to their body shape and within a species also, according to the condition of individual fish & ecological habitats. The length-weight being an important tool for basic biological study of fishes and their stock assessments, it plays a significant role in establishing the yield equations and estimations of stock size 4. This relationship is also useful for assessing the feeding rate, metamorphosis, gonad development, health condition and maturity of fishes 5. Similarly, condition factor calculated based on length & weight of fish, can be used in fisheries biology to indicate the health of fish in terms of growth pattern, maturity and feeding intensity 6, 7. Therefore, condition factor useful tool in accessing physiological status of the fish and comparing populations based on the feeding, climate and other conditions 5, 8, 9. Family Clupeidae with over 300 species under 80 genera is taxonomically most diverse groups of fishes with a worldwide distribution 10. In n water, they are represented by about 106 species belonging to groups like sardines, anchovies, white baits, rainbow sardine, shads, herring etc. The n oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps contribute significantly to the marine catch of the country. Being commercially important, reports are available on various aspects of biology of the species. The morphometric and meristic studies has been carried out on S. longiceps by Valenciennes 11, Day 12, Gunther 13, Hornell and Nayudu 14, Devanesan and Chidambaram 15, Nair 16, Munro 17, Mishra 18, Antony Raja 19, Fischer and Bianchi 20, from different coasts of. Similarly, Investigations on length-weight relationship have been carried

2 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 46, NO. 09, SEPTEMBER out by Dhulkhed 21, Antony Raja 22, Annigeri 23, Annigeri et al 24, Kasim et al 25, Deshmukh et al 26, Abdussamad et al 27, Al-Jufaili 28 and Shah et al 29. However, there is no report on the study of morphological traits, length-weight relationship and condition factor, from the coast even though the species contribute significantly in marine fish catch along Mumbai coast. Therefore, present study was planned to generate information on the morphometry, length-weight relationship and condition factor of S. longiceps from Mumbai waters. The finding would help in planning for formulation of strategies for sustainable management of this important resource. Material and Methods During the present study, 785 specimens of oil sardine, ranging from 107 to 208 mm in total length and 9.63 g to g in weight, were collected from Versova, Sassoon Docks and New Ferry Wharf landing centers of Mumbai during August 2013 to May 2014 at weakly intervals. Morphometric measurements (mm), meristic counts and weight (g) were recorded in laboratory in fresh condition using standard methods as described by Lagler et al 30, Laevastu 31, Dwivedi and Menezes 32. Morphometric characters measured were total length (TL), standard length (SL), pre-dorsal length (PDL), pre-pectoral length (PPL), pre-ventral length (PVL), pre-anal length (PAL), head length (HL), body depth (BD), snout length (SnL), post-orbital length (POL), Interorbital length (IOL) and eye diameter (ED). Meristic counts included the number of in dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal, caudal fins, branchiostegal and gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch. Linear regression equation was fitted for compared characters using least square method described by Snedecor and Cochran 33. The relationships were represented by the equation: Y = a + b X The values of intercept a and regression coefficient b were calculated following simple linear regression and the correlation coefficient r was worked out. Length-weight relationship was established separately for male and female using the formula described by Le Cren 5 : W = a L b The relationship was expressed in the logarithmic form as: Log W = Log a + b Log L Where, W = weight of fish in g, L = length of fish in mm. The analysis of covariance was attempted in order to determine variation in b values among the sexes at 1% and 5% level of significance, following Snedecor and Cochran 33. To test deviation of b value from that of three (isomerty) student s t-test was employed. t = (b-3)/s b t-value was compared with t-table value for (n-2) degrees of freedom at 5% and 1% level of significance. The condition factor (K) for the species was estimated using Fulton s index 34 K = W x 10 5 / L 3 Where, K- condition factor, W- weight of fish and L- total length. Results Measurements of various morphometric characters, their range, mean, median, standard error, standard deviation and coefficient of correlation revealed maximum value of coefficient of variation (13.21%) for inter-orbital length while minimum value (7.91%) for total length (Table 1). Regressions of the standard length, pre-dorsal length, pre-pectoral length, preventral length, pre- anal length, head length and body depth, against total length and that of snout length, Inter-orbital length, post-orbital length, and eye diameter against the head length were also established (Table 2). The co-efficient of correlation r of total length against other morphometric characters ranged between to Total length showed maximum degree of correlation (0.9597) with standard length while minimum (0.7042) with head length. Similarly, coefficient of correlation of head length against compared morphometric characters ranged from minimum of for body depth to maximum of for post-orbital length (Table 2). An analysis of meristic characters of 290 specimens indicated maximum coefficient of variation (13.44%) for gillrakers and minimum (5.56%) for ventral fin. The species was found to possess 12-16, 8-9, 14-18, and on pectoral, ventral, dorsal, anal and caudal fins, respectively. The number of branchiosteal and gillrakers ranged between 5-6 and , respectively (Table 3). Based on the results from the present works, the fin formula for S. longiceps could be written: B 5-6 P V 8-9 D C A

3 1812 AHIRWAL et al.: BIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF OIL SARDINE, SARDINELLA LONGICEPS (VALENCIENNES, 1847) Morphometric characters Table 1- Statistical estimates of various morphometric characters in S. longiceps. Range (mm) Min Max Mean (mm) Median (mm) Standard error Standard deviation Coefficient of Variation (%) Total length Standard length Pre-dorsal length Pre-pectoral length Pre-ventral length Pre-anal length Head length Snout length Inter-orbital length Post-orbital length Body depth Eye diameter Table 2- Relationship between different morphometric characters of S. longiceps. S. N. Morphometric character Intercept (a) Slope (b) Y a+bx Correlation (r) 1. Total length & Standard length X Total length & Pre-dorsal length X Total length & Pre-pectoral length X Total length & Pre-ventral length X Total length & Pre-anal length X Total length & Head length X Total length & Body depth X Head length & Snout length X Head length & Eye diameter X Head length & Inter-orbital length X Head length & Post-orbital length X Table 3- Statistical estimates of various meristic characters in S. longiceps. Meristic Range Mean Median Standard Standard Coefficient of Min Max Error deviation Variation (%) characters Dorsal fin Pectoral fin Ventral fin Anal Fin Caudal fin Branchiostegal Gillrakers The relationship between length-weight was established as: W = L for male and W = L for female (Fig 1-3). Same is represented in logarithmic form as Log W = Log L, (R²=0.9334) for male and Log W = Log L (R² = ) for female. Analysis of covariance did not indicate significant difference between the sexes at 1% and 5% level, hence a common equation was derived as W = L and in logarithmic form as Log W= Log L (R² = ). Student t-test value indicating positive allometric growth pattern at significance level of 1% & 5% level.

4 Weight (gm) Weight (gm) Weight (gm) INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 46, NO. 09, SEPTEMBER Length (mm) Length (mm) Fig. 1- Length-weight relationship scatter gram () Length (mm) Fig. 2- Length-weight relationship scatter gram () The condition factor (K) of S. longiceps was studied with respected to different months as well as length of the fish (Table 4). The month-wise condition factor revealed the highest value in May for the both sexes (1.31 for males and 1.45 for females). Lowest K value was obtained for male (0.79) in February month and for female (0.80) in March. Length-wise condition factor revealed highest value of (0.93) for mm length range in the males and (0.92) for mm length group for female. In males, the lowest value of K (0.69) was obtained in mm length range while in the females the lowest value (0.62) was obtained in mm length group. Discussion The observations on meristic characters of S. longiceps recorded in the present study and that of earlier workers, reported from different coasts revealed variations (Table 5). Dorsal fin reported by previous workers ranged between 13-19, while in the present study, it ranged between Gillraker being numerous in this species, have shown a wide variation. However, the number of branchiostegal and on pectoral fin, pelvic fin, anal fin, and caudal fin Fig. 3- Length-weight relationship scatter gram (Pooled) were found to be same as observed by previous researchers. Analysis also indicated that there was no significant variation in the morphometric and meristic characteristics of S. longiceps within the population collected from the Mumbai waters. Thus, suggesting that a homogeneous stock of the species occurs along Mumbai coast. Report on previous investigations on lengthweight relationships of S. longiceps along different locations from n coast has shown isometric as well as allometric growth pattern (Table 6). However, Regression coefficient value (b=3.341) obtained in the present study for pooled data is comparable with those of Dhulked 21 (3.212), Annigiri et al 24 (3.263) and Kasim et al 25 (3.261). Exponent value b for length-weight relationship provides significant information on fish growth pattern. Normally the exponent value (b=3) indicates that the weight of fish grows in cubic proportion in relation to length. In present study the value b was recorded above three indicates that the fish become wider as they grow. Variations in b values from previous finding may be due to geographical distribution of fish and ecological differences in water quality parameters 35. Seasonal variations of b value is directly related to the weight affected by ecological factors such as temperature, food supply, spawning conditions and other factors such as sex, age, fishing time and area and fishing vessels 36. The b value may also be affected due to various factors like number and size of specimen examined, sampling places, and sampling season 37. In addition, variations in exponent values may also be due to changes physiological conditions, food availability, life span or growth increment 38, 39, 40.

5 1814 AHIRWAL et al.: BIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF OIL SARDINE, SARDINELLA LONGICEPS (VALENCIENNES, 1847) Table 4-Month-wise as well as length-wise condition factor of S. longiceps. Month Condition factor Length group (mm) Condition factor September October November December January February March April May Authors Table 5- Comparison of meristic characters of S. longiceps with earlier reports. Pectoral fin Ventral fin Dorsal fin Caudal fin Anal fin Branchiostegal Gill rakers Gunther Day Li Whitehead Antony Raja Nair Menezes Fischer and Bianchi 20 Talwar and Kacker Lazarus Shah Present study Table 6- Comparison of intercepts (a), slope (b) and correlation coefficient (r) for length-weight relationship of S. longiceps with previous studies. Authors Location Sex Samples (a) (b) (r) Dhulkhed 21 Annigeri 23 Mangalore, Karwar, Indeterminate Unsexed Average Kurup et al 53 Calicut, Gopal& Savaria 54 Saurashtra coast, Annigeri et al 24 West coast, Rohit and Bhat 55 Mangalore-Malpe Kasim et al 25 Deshmukh et al 26 Cuddalore coast, Ratnagiri, Unsexed Indeterminate Abdussamad et al 27 East coast,

6 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 46, NO. 09, SEPTEMBER Al-Jufaili 28 Shah et al 29 Al-Seeb, Oman Ratnagiri coast, Monthly variation of condition factor value indicate a seasonal cycle which is apparently related to the reproductive period with a peak in April month before the spawning season and declined in October after the completion of spawning in both the sexes. Higher K value in April can also be correlated with the feeding activity of the fish. The lower K value from August to October in population may be due to spawning stress as well as decrease in feeding activity. Alterations in the condition factor are influenced by season and prevailing environmental conditions 41. K values for males and females were studied for different length group show variations. K values of female S. longiceps increased almost gradually as they grow from to mm. However, the K values decreased beyond the 180 to 189 mm length in female fishes. This result suggested that their gonad developed gradually until the maturation stage, when their total length was between 160 to 189 mm as observed in females. Variation in the K values related to the increasing length could be employed to determine the size at first maturity 42. Condition factor usually exhibits high value when a fish individual attains sexual maturation 43. Variation in the Condition factor values are depended on factors like season, age, sex, and gonad development of fish 44. It is useful to determine the time of gonad maturation, and degree of feeding activity of species to verify if it is making good use of its source 45. The condition factor is important biological tool, which gives information on condition of fish species and the entire community for management and conservation of natural populations 46, 47. It is a quantitative parameter for measuring the fitness of the fish that determines present and future population propagation because of its influence on survival, reproduction and growth 48. Conclusion Present study on morphometry, length-weight relationships and condition factor of S. longiceps from Mumbai waters is perhaps the first report. Hence, this information will be useful in planning for management and conservation of this resource, especially in fish sampling programs to estimate growth rates, mean length, and other components of fish population dynamics. Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to Dr. W. S. Lakra, Director, CIFE, Mumbai and n Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi for providing necessary facilities for carrying out the research work. References 1 Nayman, W. H., Growth and Ecology of fish population. J. Anim. Eco., 20 (1965): Bagenal, T. B. and Tesch, A. T., Conditions and growth patterns in fresh water habitats. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, England, (1978): Ihssen, P. E., Booke, H. E. J. M. Casselman,J. M. McGlade, N. R. Payne, and Utater, F. M., Stock identification, Materials and methods. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 38 (1981): Abdurahiman, K. P., Harishnayak, T., Zacharia, P. U. and Mohamed, K. S., Length-weight relationship of commercially important marine fishes and shellfishes of the Southern coast of Karnataka,. NAGA World Fish Center Quarterly; 27(1 & 2) (2004): Le Cren, C. P., Length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in the Perch (Perca fluviatilis). J. Anim. Eco., 20(2) (1995): Froese, R., Cube law, condition factor and weightlength relationships: history, metaanalysis and recommendations. J. Appl. Ichthyol., 22 (2006): Mac Gregoer, J. S., Relation between fish condition and population size in the sardine (Sardinops cacrulea). U. S. Fishery Wild Service, Fish Bulletin. 60 (1959): Lizama, M. A. P. and A. M. Ambrósia., Condition factor in nine species of fish of the Characidae family in the upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazilian J. Biol., 62 (2002): Gomiero, L. M., Villares Junior, G. A. and Naous, F., Relação pesocomprimento e fator de condição de Cichla kelberi (Perciformes, Cichlidae) introduzidos em um lago artificial no Sudeste brasileiro. Acta Scientiarum Biological Sci., 30 (2008):

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