Investigations on the Biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger Kanagurta
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Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics Thesis submitted to Cochin University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF MARINE SCIENCES GANGA .U. Reg. No. 2763 DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY SCHOOL OF MARINE SCIENCES COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KOCHI – 682 016, INDIA September 2010 DECLARATION I, Ganga. U., do hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics “ is a genuine record of research work carried out by me under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) C.K. Radhakrishnan, Emeritus Professor, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and no part of the work has previously formed the basis for the award of any Degree, Associateship and Fellowship or any other similar title or recognition of any University or Institution. Ganga.U Kochi – 16 September-2010 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics” to be submitted by Smt. Ganga. U., is an authentic record of research work carried out by her under my guidance and supervision in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Cochin University of Science and Technology, under the faculty of Marine Sciences. Prof. (Dr.) C.K. Radhakrishnan (Supervising Guide) Prof. (Dr.) C.K. Radhakrishnan Emeritus Professor Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682 016 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to place on record my sincere and heartfelt thanks to my supervising guide Dr. C. K. Radhakrishnan, for his invaluable guidance and encouragements which culminated in this thesis. I am deeply indebted to Dr. N. G. K. Pillai, Principal Scientist and Head (Retd.), Pelagic Fisheries Division, CMFRI, Kochi who encouraged me in all my endeavours, and was a well-wisher, guiding light and mentor throughout. I am greatly obliged to Prof. (Dr.) Babu Philip who served as the Subject Expert in my Doctoral Committee, for supporting me with kind advice and valuable suggestions during my research work. I thank The Director, School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT , The Dean, Faculty of Marine Sciences and The Head, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry for all facilities and support provided during the tenure of the research programme. I also place on record my gratitude to all the faculty of the Department of Marine biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, namely, Dr. A.V. Saramma, Dr. Rosamma Philip, Dr. Aneykutty Joseph, Dr. Mohammed Hatha and Dr. Bijoy Nandan for all their valuable advice and encouragement. I thank Prof. (Dr.) Mohan Joseph Modayil, former Director of CMFRI, for granting me study leave to carry out the work. I have immensely benefitted from the various interactions with respected senior colleagues and I place on record my sincere thanks to Dr. T. M. Yohannan, Retd. Principal Scientist, Pelagic Fisheries Division, CMFRI; Dr.E.Vivekanandan, Former Head, Demersal Fisheries Division, CMFRI ; Dr. K.S. Mohamed, Head, Molluscan Fisheries Division, CMFRI for patiently clearing several doubts and giving me valuable guidance and helpful suggestions. I am deeply indebted to Dr. T.V. Sankar, Senior Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi for his invaluable guidance and help given to me while carrying out works related to biochemical analyses. Heartfelt thanks are also due to Dr. R. Anandan, Dr. P. Ashraf, Dr. K. Ashok Kumar and Dr. J. Bindu, Senior Scientists of the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi and Dr. Pramod, MPEDA, for all their kind helps and co- operation during my research work. I also thank Dr. P. Vijayagopal of the Marine Biotechnology Division, CMFRI for giving critical suggestions and advice. I acknowledge with thanks the invaluable help given by Dr. Sobhana K.S. and Shri. K.K. Surendran while carrying out the histological studies. Mr. D.Edwin, Librarian, CMFRI is especially thanked for enabling me to collect several valuable references from global libraries. Drs. Somy Kuriakose and J. Jayasankar are thanked for help provided for the statistical works. Help and advice provided by Dr. P.P. Manojkumar and Dr. K. K. Phillipose, CMFRI are remembered with thanks. I specially thank Dr. G. Syda Rao, Director, CMFRI Kochi for providing all facilities and an enabling atmosphere to carry out my research work. Senior colleagues of CMFRI Drs. P.P. Pillai, P.N.R.Nair, A.A. Jayaprakash and C.P.Gopinathan (Retd.) are gratefully remembered for their advices. I also thank Dr. E. M. Abdussamad, Mr. D. Prakasan, Shri. M.N.K. Elayathu, Smt. Rema, K.V., Shri. S. Nandakumar Rao and Shri. P. R. Abhilash, CMFRI, for their kind co-operation and helps on various occassions. Shri. K. Ganesan and Shri. K. Janardhanan are thanked for assisting me in collecting some of the fish samples during my work. My special thanks to Shri. P.V. Devassy and Smt. P.S. Sumathi, administration Section, CMFRI as well as all the administrative staff of the Department of Marine biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry and the Library section for their kind co- operation and help always. Special thanks are due to Hashim Manjebrayakath, SRF, Pelagic Fisheries Division, for taking an extra step and going that extra mile to help always. Shri. Akhilesh, K.V., Rajool Shanis, Bineesh. K.K., Mrs. Beni. N., and Manju Sebastine, the young and energetic SRFs of the Pelagic Fisheries Division are thanked for cheerfully chipping in with their helps whenever and wherever requested. Sincere thanks to all my friends, especially, Smt. Jenni B, Dr. Radhika, Cilla Abraham, Dr. Priyalekshmi, Dr. Anjana Mohan, Smt. N.R. Lethadevi and Smt. Bindu Sanjeev for their affection and concerned help rendered on several occassions. I profusely thank my family, especially my parents Mrs. Geetha and Mr. T. Upendra Prabhu and my parents-in –law, Mrs. Sumangali and Mr. H. Janardhan Bhat for all their blessful kindness, understanding and encouragement throughout. Last but not least, I owe special thanks to my husband Dr. J. Jagannath Bhat and my daughters Srijitha and Anusree for all their affection, kind concerns and patience throughout. Ganga .U INDEX i. List of Tables ii. List of plates and Figures iii. List of Abbreviations CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 - 12 CHAPTER 2 MATURATION DYNAMICS 2.1. Introduction 13 2.2. Review of Literature 15 2.3. Materials & Methods 32 2.4. Results 35 2.5. Discussion 47 CHAPTER 3 FOOD AND FEEDING DYNAMICS 3.1. Introduction- 58 3.2. Review of Literature 59 3.3. Materials & Methods 67 3.4. Results 71 3.5. Discussion 83 CHAPTER 4 LIPID DYNAMICS 4.1. Introduction 91 4.2. Review of Literature 92 4.3. Materials & Methods 102 4.4. Results 104 4.5. Discussion 117 CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 127 - 130 REFERENCES 131 - 159 LIST OF PLATES & FIGURES Plate 1 Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1817). Plate 2 Different size groups of R. kanagurta occurring in the mackerel landings Plate.3 Macroscopic gonad staging of female mackerel A. Maturing (early stage) B. Ripe and C. Spent Plate 4 Snapshots of mackerel diet indicating dominance of (A) phytoplankton, (B) copepods and (C) detritus Fig. 1.1 All India landings (t) of Indian mackerel during 1985 -2009 Fig.1.2 Seasonal length frequency distribution of mackerel caught by ring seines and trawls along the Central Kerala coast (2004 - 2008 average) Fig. 1.3 Map showing location of study area Fig. 2.1 Monthly occurrence of the various maturity stages of R.kanagurta Fig. 2.2 GSI of various maturity stages of male R.kanagurta indicating maximum, minimum and mean values (vertical bars) Fig. 2.3 GSI of various maturity stages of female R.kanagurta indicating maximum, minimum and mean values (vertical bars) Fig. 2.4 Pooled oocyte diameter frequency distribution of mackerel in Maturing (early) n=16; Maturing (late) n= 14; Ripe (n= 12) and partially spent (n=15) stages. Fig.2.5A Ripe ovary (stage F3) with mature oocytes (R ) and a few empty follicles (E) indicating ovulated eggs Fig 2.5B Spent ovary characterized by very small immature previtellogenic (PV) oocytes as well as atretic vitellogenic (AV) oocytes Fig. 2.6 Various stages in oocyte development. Fig. 2.6.a Characteristic hydrated oocyte (HY) and vitellogenic (LD, YG) oocytes in a ripe ovary Fig.2.7 Estimated Length at first maturity (Lm) during the different years 2005 to 2008. Fig. 2.8 Scatterplot showing relationship of fecundity to total Length in R.kanagurta. Fig. 2.9 Scatterplot showing relationship of fecundity with total weight (gm) in R. kanagurta. Fig.3.1 Feeding intensity (% numbers) in relation to seasons Fig. 3.2 Percentage occurrence of stomachs of various feeding activity in the different maturity stages Fig. 3.3 A Size based feeding activity during pre-monsoon season Fig. 3.3 B Size based feeding activity during monsoon season Fig. 3.3 C Size based feeding activity during post monsoon season Fig 3.3 D Size based feeding activity combined for all seasons Fig. 3.4. Seasonal percentage Preponderance Index (% Ip) showing dominance of various food items Fig. 3.5 Percentage composition of diet items in the various size groups of Indian mackerel Fig. 3.6 Diet breadth (B) of mackerel showing diversity of prey consumed among size groups Fig. 3.7 Costello analysis indicating the occurrence and dominance of different prey items Fig. 3.8 Volumetric indices of various food items among sexes in R.