Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 12. No.1, March, 2015

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SYNONDONTIS SCHALL (PISCES: ) FROM ASA DAM, ILORIN, NIGERIA

RAFIU R. A. 1 ARAOYE P. A. 2, 2OWOLABI O. D. 2, ADELODUN O. B. 1, AND AMUSAT A. I. 3 1. Department of Fisheries Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria Email: [email protected] 2. Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. 3. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Studies on the morpological characterization of schall was conducted using a total of 103 samples collected from Asa Dam, Ilorin Nigeria over a period of nine months (November 2004 to July 2005). Different parts such as head length, pre orbital length, post orbital length, pectoral fin length, dorsal fin length, anal fin length, caudal peduncle length and depth, body depth and body weight were all measured. The head length and body depth (35.90% and 36.95% respectively) accounted for the larger percentage of the fish standard length. The difference in head length between male and female was not significant (P>0.05) while significant differences were obtained from the eye diameter, pectoral fin length, caudal peduncle length and body weight of male and female Synodontis schall. Morphometric analysis of growth parts exhibit a positive allometric growth with “b” value of 3.09 for regression of head length with the standard length. The condition factor (K) of male (2.02) and female (2.05) were not significantly (P>0.05) different. It could therefore be concluded that Synodontis schall from Asa Lake were in good condition and proper strategic measures should be taken to avoid over exploitation.

Keywords: Synodontis schall, morphometric, allometric

INTRODUCTION dorsal and pectoral fin usually used for Fish constitute an excellent source of protein protection(Willoughby, 1974). of high biological value and is one of most important sources of protein available Many researchers such as Olatunde (1989), all over the world for human consumption. Araoye and Jeje (1999), Araoye (2001) and Out of all other protein food stuff (such as Akombo et. al.(2013) have studied some meat, egg, milk etc),fish is one of the cheapest biological aspect of this species. In fishes, sources of animal protein with high nutritive growth may be measured in any dimension value and accounts for about 40% of the total since it has been recognized that changes in animal protein intake in an average size is not accompanied by changes in shape Nigeria(Fagbenro, 2004). Eyo (2001) also stated (Newt, 1970). Many studies on allometric and that, fish muscle is very rich in high quality isometric growth in fishes have largely been amino acid, containing between 15 and 20% based on weight and length relationship, or protein which makes it an important animal relationship between size of scale or other protein generally accepted by people. calcified tissues and body length because of their importance for age-growth analysis Synodontis schall is a prominent source of (Adeyemi et al., 2009). animal protein in aquatic system of tropical , belonging to the family Mochokidae The length-weight relationship also known as (Nawar, 1958 and Willoughby, 1976) and it is growth index has been widely used in fish of great commercial importance (Olatunde, biology with several purposes like estimating 1989). Synodontis are highly cherished in the mean weight of fish, based on known Ilorin and its environ because of its bony head length (Beyer, 1987, Abowei and Davies, 2009). and fleshy body, which usually attract lovers It is also used in the conversion of the length of common “pepper soup” (Araoye, 2004). The equation in weight for equivalent of growth in genus Synodontis has special characteristics of weight, morphometric inter specific and intra partially armored head because of well- population comparison to assess the index of developed cephalo-nuchal shield on top and well-being of the fish population (Omoniyi et. side of their head and the strong spine of al., 2010).

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niloticus respectively. Also, Alfred-Ockiya Morphometric of some fish species have been (2000), Abowei and Hart (2007), Abowei and investigated by researchers, among them are: Davies (2009) and Abowei (2010) work on Sadiku and Oladimeji (1991) have reported an condition factors of different species of isometric growth in the relationship between fish.There is paucity of information on the the length and body weight of Synodontis morphometric and characterization of growth schall in Zaria dam, Nigeria while Willoughby of external body parts S. schall into allometry (1974) on the ecology of Synodontis species in and isometry in Asa dam. kainji, lake, Nigeria. Olatunde (1983) reported ‘b’ values of Clarias gariepinus in Zaria to be The objectives of this study are to examine and 3. Nwadairo and Okorie (1985) studied length evaluate the morphometry of Synodontis weight relationship of Chrysichthys species schall, characterize growth of the external from Oguta lake in Nigeria to have an body parts into allometry or isometry and to allometric growth while Obasohan et. al. determine the condition factor of this species. (2012) reported b values of 1.72, 1.16, 1.41, 1.52 and 1.94 for Papyrocranus afer, Parachanna MATERIALS AND METHODS obscura, Malapterurus electricus, Tilapia Asa dam (latitude 08o 26’ N and longitude 04o mariae and Oreochromis niloticus respectively 29’ E) is located at a point of about 6km south from Ibiekuma Stream, Ekpoma, Nigeria. of Ilorin town across river Asa in Kwara State, Nigeria. The dam has an overall length of 596 The condition factor of the fish can also be metres with a storage capacity of 43 million determined using length weight relationship cubic meters within the lake. The lake was to know the well-being of fish in the water constructed for water supply to Ilorin body. According to Weatherly and Gill (1990), metropolis but also serves the secondary condition factor can be used to determine the purpose of fish production. Samples of period of gonadal maturation and the Synodontis schall were collected from the observation of increase or decrease in feeding catches of fishermen fishing in Asa Dam, Ilorin activities or population change possibly due to Nigeria. Bi-monthly purchasing of the modifications in food resources. The condition specimens were made during late dry season factors are used as indicator of the well-being (November – February), early raining season of individual organism, because it integrates (March – May) and late raining season (June – many levels of the organizational processes July) to make a total of nine months. The fish (Lizama et. al., 2002).According to Fonseca et. samples purchased were transported to the al. (2006), the growth estimation and condition laboratory in plastic containers containing ice indices were first used as measures of fish blocks to keep the fish fresh. A total of 103 nutritional condition, growth and overall fish samples were examined. health, and also for habitat quality for fish. Vasconcelos et. al. (2009), also stated that Morphometric measurements condition indices serves as a factor that The morphometric characters measured are integrates environmental variability and allow standard length, head length, body depth , for assessment of fish health in a given habitat, dorsal fin length, pectoral fin length, caudal by considering how fish respond to abiotic peduncle length and depth, anal fin length and biotic variables, food quality and and body weight. Measurements of these parts availability and also pollution. were made using methods of Olaosebikan and Raji (1981), using measuring board for Several studies on condition factors include different body lengths and digital electronic Oni et. al. (1983) who reported Fulton’s weighing balance for body weight. condition factors (k) of between 1.09-2.12,1.97- 3.27 and 0.1-4.03 for Aletes nurse, Synodontis Length-Weight relationship schall and Tilapia zilli respectively while The proportion of the body lengths Sadiku and Oladimeji (1991) obtained contributed by the measured parts was condtion factors (k) of 2.28, 3.86 and 1.94 for S. calculated using the formula: schall, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Lates

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Length of the part (cm) Standard length (cm) X 100

Characterization of growth into allometry or length of 17.94cm (Table 1). The male S. shall isometry was carried out using the logarithmic have the highest body weight 210.00g while transformation of the equation y = axb: into the female have the highest body weight of 185.00g as shown in Table 1. The percentage Log y = log a + b log x (Pauly, 1983) relationship between the length of various Where, y = dependent variable (length of structures and the head length (HL) or the external body part in cm) standard length (SL) was shown in Table 2. Log a =Regression intercept (constant) Log b =Regression coefficient (slope) The post orbital length occupied the highest and x = Independent variable (length of fish in portion of the head length with maximum cm or weight of fish in gram). value of 96.23% and mean value of 46.62±8.79 while the pre orbital length and eye diameter Regression analysis was carried out between occupied 54.39 and 33.47% with mean values each external body parts and fish standard 32.27±4.74 and 18.43±5.50 respectively. length and body weight. Statistical analysis of significance difference between growth of the The body depth occupies the highest quota of body parts of male and female Synodontis the Standard Length with maximum schall were determined using t-test. percentage of 36.95% followed by the head length with percentage of 35.90%. The dorsal Condition factor (k) fin length, anal fin, caudal peduncle depth, The condition factors of the fish were caudal peduncle length and pectoral fin length determined using Fulton’s condition factor (k) occupy 16.57, 12.80, 11.11, 10.65 and 8.87% of formula: the Standard Length respectively (Table 2). K = 100w L3 Charaterization of growth of body parts using Where K= condition factor the calculated slope (b) value from the W = weight of the fish in gram regression analysis indicated that only the L = standard length of fish in cm. head length had slope (b) value 3.08 greater (Fulton, 1902) than 3 indicating a positive allometric growth with the standard length while other parts had RESULTS ‘b’ values of less than 3 indicating negative The standard length of the population of allometric growth with the standard length Synodontis schall varied from 15.10 to 21.50cm (Table 3). It could be inferred that the head with mean standard length of 18.47cm in male length grows in direct proportion with the while the standard length of the female ranges standard length using the b value of between 15.00 to 19.90cm with mean standard approximately 3.1.

Table 1: Changes in body proportion with sex in Synodontis schall from Asa Dam. Male (N=54) Female (N= 49) Body Parts (cm) Min Max Mean SD Min Max Mean SD Standard length 15.10 21.50 18.47 1.47 15.00 19.90 17.94 1.46 Total length 18.70 30.50 25.50 2.94 18.30 28.90 24.76 3.03 Head length 2.39 7.10 5.63 1.29 2.70 7.00 5.48 1.33 Eye diameter 0.80 1.90 0.99 0.17 0.80 1.30 0.93 0.13 Pectoral fin length 0.80 1.90 1.14 0.23 0.80 1.60 1.11 0.16 Body depth 1.50 7.90 5.36 1.45 1.80 6.90 5.24 1.31 Dorsal fin length 1.6 3.00 2.44 0.33 1.90 2.90 2.43 0.28 Caudal peduncle length 1.80 1.10 1.18 0.23 0.80 1.90 1.09 0.22 Caudal peduncle depth 0.80 2.20 1.19 0.36 0.80 2.00 1.36 0.39 Anal fin length 1.30 2.10 1.68 0.22 1.00 2.10 1.61 0.34 Body weight 80.00 210.00 96.30 2.59 70.00 185.00 8.27 5.87 Mean Condition factors 1.85 2.24 2.03 0.27 1.81 2.29 2.05 0.21

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Table 2: Body Proportions of Synodontis Schall as Percentage of Head and Standard Length In Asa Dam, Ilorin, Nigeria Characters(Body Parts) N Min Max Mean Values Eye Diameter (%H.L) 103 12.12 33.47 18.43±5.50 Pre Orbital Length (% H.L) 103 15.63 54.39 32.27±4.74 Post Orbital Length (% H.L) 103 34.55 96.23 46.62±8.79 Head Length (%S.L) 103 15.80 35.90 30.20±5.36 Body Depth (% S.L)s 103 8.33 36.95 28.95±6.36 Pectoral Fin Length (% S.L) 103 4.42 8.87 6.30± 0.38 Dorsal Fin Length (% S.L ) 103 8.89 16.57 13.39±1.38 Caudal Peduncle Length (% S.L) 103 3.87 10.65 6.299±1.36 Caudal Peduncle Depth (% S.L) 103 4.23 11.11 7.63±1.94 Anal Fin Length (% S.L) 103 5.78 12.80 9.04±1.36 S.L- Standard Length (cm) H.L- Head Length (cm)

Table 3: Characterization of growth of body parts with the standard length in Synodontis schall using linear regression equations Body Parts a b R Types of Growth Eye Diameter y= - 0.121 + 0.137x 0.268 Allometry Head Length y= -3.152 + 3.084x 0.931 Allometry Pectoral Fin Length y= - 1.578 + 1.297x 0.653 Allometry Body Depth y= - 1.297 + 1.590x 0.393 Allometry Dorsal Fin Length y = - 0.706 + 0.865x 0.556 Allometry Anal Fin Length y= - 1.242 + 1.154x 0.536 Allometry Caudal Peduncle y= - 0.194 + 1.193x 0.085 Allometry Caudal Peduncle Depth y= - 0.994 + 0.851x 0.258 Allometry Body weight y= - 1.184 + 2.594x 0.908 Allometry Where y = Length of External body part in cm, x = standard length of the fish in cm, a= regression intercept, b= regression coefficient (slope), r = correlation coefficient.

The regression analysis of all the body parts peduncle length and anal fin length of males with the body weight showed a negative and females Synodontis schall. However, allometric growth which indicated that all the significant differences (P < 0.05) were recorded body parts does not grow in direct proportion in the eye diameter, pectoral length, caudal with the body weight (Table 4). peduncle length and body weight of male and female S schall (Table 5). The Condition factor The Statistical analysis shows that there was K indicated that both male and female S. schall no significant difference (P>0.05) between the were in good condition with mean k values of head length, pre orbital length, post orbital 2.02 and 2.05 for male and female S. schall length, body depth, dorsal fin length, caudal respectively (Table 1).

Table 4: Characterization of growth of body parts with the body weight in Synodontis schall using linear regression equations Body Parts a b r Types of Growth Eye Diameter y= - 0.615 +0.285x 0.908 Allometry Head Length y= - 1.229 +0.941x 0.812 Allometry Pectoral Fin Length y=- 0.992 +0.503x 0.724 Allometry Body Depth y=- 0.410 +0.535x 0.378 Allometry Dorsal Fin Length y=- 0.195 +0.378x 0.511 Allometry Anal Fin Length y=- 0.446 +0.315x 0.419 Allometry CaudalPeduncle Length y=- 0.290 +0.163x 0.204 Allometry Caudal Peduncle Depth y=- 0.275 +0.193x 0.481 Allometry Standard Length y=- 0.598 +0. 318x 0.167 Allometry Where y = Length of External body part in cm, x = weight of the fish in g, a= regression intercept, b= regression coefficient (slope), r = correlation coefficient.

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Table 5: Difference in body parts of Male and Female S. schall (t-test) from Asa Dam, Ilorin, Nigeria Characters t P-value Mean Difference Eye diameter 2.042 0.44** 6.013E-02 Head length 0.558 0.578 0.1439 Pre orbital length 0.678 0.55 6.028E-02 Post orbital length 1.070 0.287 9.395E-02 Pectoral length 2.0430 0.044** 8.073E-02 Body depth 0.429 0.669 0.1168 Dorsal fin length 0.168 0.867 1.013E-02 Caudal peduncle length 2.013 0.047** 8.946E-02 Caudal peduncle depth 0.779 0.438 5.748E-02 Anal fin length 1.247 0.215 6.924E-02 Body Weigh 1.947 0.054** 11.3643 **Significant at P< 0.05

DISCUSSSION The length of the body parts increased with The study revealed that all the body parts of the standard body length and weight of the Synondontis schall investigated exhibited fish. The mean head length was larger in negative allometric growth pattern with males (5.63cm) than females (5.48cm) but the regression analyses exponent b values less differences observed in both sexes could not than 3 except the head length which had be used as a distinguishing character since the positive allometric growth of b value “3.08” difference was not statistically (Table 3).Also the regression analysis of all the significant(P>0.05). Similar observation was body parts with the body weight showed made in Sarotherodon galilaeus (Nzeh and negative allometric growth. Negative Fagade, 1994). However, the non-significant allometric growths have also been reported for difference (P>0.05) in the head length of the Heterobranchus longifilis from Idodo River, two sexes thus suggests that the population Nigeria (Anibeze, 2000), Mormyrus rume from are homogenous. River Osse, South Western Nigeria (Odedeyi et al., 2007) and Parachanna obscura from The percentage head length (35.90%) to the Igwu and Itu Rivers’ wetlands, Nigeria (Bolaji standard length indicates that the bony head et al., 2011). contributed substantially to the total body parts of the fish. The amount of bone present According to Adeyemi et al., 2009, the in the body of genus Synodontis probably may negative allometric growth pattern in fish be greater than other (Willoughby, implies that the standard length or weight 1976). Araoye, (2004) also observed that the increases at a lesser rate than the cube of the presence of cephalonuchal shield in S. schall body length. Also, positive allometric growth from Asa dam could have contributed pattern was reported for Hemichromis significantly to the total quantity of its bone niloticus from Kainji Lake (Yem et al.,2007). unlike some other catfishes such as Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Clarias The correlation coefficients (r) of the fish with gariepinus in the same lake. 0.908 and 0.931 indicated high degree of positive correlation between the head length The eye diameter, pectoral fin length, caudal and body weight with the standard length. peduncle length and the body weight of male Other body parts showed low degree of and female Synodontis schall were also correlation with r values of less than 0.9. The significantly different (P<0.05). These implication is that the head length and the differences could be due to the fact that most body weight of the fish increased with female fish were caught during the period of increase in standard length, but the rate of low growth rate which may lead to the increase in other body parts was less than the significant difference due to energy expended rate of increase in head length and body on reproduction by females during this weight (Table 3). More so, only the eye season. diameter shows high degree of correlation

40 Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 12. No.1, March, 2015 with r value of 0.908 while other body parts Also, differences may be due to fatness and showed low degree of correlation with the gonadal development (Le Cren 1951, Fagade body weight (Table 4). and Adebisi, 1979) which was attributed to female Synodontis schall having more fat The non-significant difference in the mean accumulation than the male (Araoye, 2004). condition factor of male (2.02) and females Moreso , many factors such as sex, age, state of (2.05) showed that both sexes were in good maturity, size, state of stomach fullness, condition. This is similar to condition factors sampling methods and sample sizes and of 2.28 and 3.27 obtained by Sadiku and environmental conditions affect fish condition Oladimeji (1991) and Oni et al (1983) for and parameters of length-weight relationships Synodontis schall respectively. Also, Akombo in fish (Ama-Abasi, 2007; Yem et al., 2007; et al. (2013) recorded highest value of mean Adeyemi et al., 2009). condition factor ‘k’ for S. schall from lower Benue River. The females were in better This research has shown that Synodontis condition than males. schall from Asa dam, Ilorin, Nigeria was in better condition. Therefore, proper ways of The difference between them may be due to exploiting these species to increase its energy expended on milt production by the sustainable yield in water body should be males which may likely higher than the one cultivated. expended on production of eggs in females.

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