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Journal of the Indian Fisheries Association 71 31, 2004, 71-80
SCALE STRUCTURE, AGE AND GROWTH IN THE FRESHWATER CARP, LABEO CALBASU (PISCES/CYPRINIDAE) FROM HARIKE WETLAND, INDIA
N. K. Bhatia and A. Dua Aqua,tic Biology Lab., Zoology Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab 143 005.
ABSTRACT Age structure and growth profile based on the scale studies of 468 specimens ranging from 17-62 em total length of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from Harike wetland (30°13'N, 75° 12'E), Punjab, India have been described. the present study showed better growth in terms of two important growth parameters namely index of species average size and population weight growth intensity. Two distinct phases in its life history have been described that indicates the optimum exploitation of this species from this waterbody. Harvestable size is found to be fish of 34 em total length. The detailed structural elaboration of scale (normal, regenerated, lateral line) has also been done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Keywords: Scale, SEM, Age, Growth, Stock Management.
INTRODUCTION Being an important commercial :tish, this species has been studied by several Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) is a widely _workers. Alikunhi (1957) and Pathak distributed major carp inhabiting most of (1975) studied different aspects of its the southern regions of Asia including biology. Rao and Rao (1972), Gupta and India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Jhingran (1973), Johal and Kingra (1988), Nepal, Thailand and South-Western China Tandon et al. (1989), Johal et al. (1993, This species occurs in rivers and ponds 1996, 2001) studied the age and growth and feeds on plants, filamentous algae and aspects of this fish using scales. The diatoms (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). The present study is a contribution to the age maximum reported size for this fish is and growth of this species from Harike 90cm (Day, 1878) but during the last few wetland. This wetland is of great decades this size has not been reported. significance due to its international Further a declining trend in the yield of importance as a Ramsar site. It is an L. calbasu and other Indian major carps investigation for studying the existing has been envisaged due to extensive use of ecologjcal status· of this fish in terms of pesticides and weedicides in the catchment various growth parameters and will areas and introduction of exotic carps in provide a baseline for effective their natural habitats (Tandon and J ohal, management of this waterbody to sustain 1982). its fishery potential. 72 N. K. BHATIA AND A DUA
To add further, scales are always scales were taken from appropriate regions considered an important research material of the body. All type of scales were washed for fish biologists. Numerous structural and sonicated to remove extraneous matter. features are engraved on its surface that Thoroughly cleaned and air dried scales are found to be very important in fish were coated with 100 A 0 thick gold taxonomy and classification (DeLamater palladium alloy and observed under JEOL et. al., 1972; Delamater and Gourtenay, JSM 6100 Scanning Electron Microscope. 1973 a,b, 1974; Chervinski and Shapiro, 1988). The literature is strongly endowed with references to the structural analysis RESULTS AND DISCUSSION of scales using the magnifying potencies Scale structure : Analysis of scale of SEM for this purpose (DeLamater and structure using SEM revealed numerous Courtenay, 1972; Lanzing and hidden architectural details. The normal Higginbotham, 1974; Hughes, 1981; scale is longer than broad with its centre Hollander, 1986; DiCenzo and Sellers, having well marked focus. It is the first 1998; Johal and Thomas, 2000). In the part of the scale to be formed and present study, along with the use of scales constitutes a common axis around which for age and growth study, the detailed the elevated ridges, circuli are laid in a structural analysis of scale was done to regular manner. This region of scale contribute scale data to this fish species possesses a distinct larval mark using Scanning Electron Microscopy characterized by discontinuous, closely (SEM). All the three types of scales viz., spaced circuli and the periphery of this normal, regenerated and lateral line were ring gives space to the radii (Fig. 1a). All analyzed for this purpose. the three types of radii viz. primary, secondary and tertiary are present. Irrespective of the difference in their MATERIAL AND METHODS lengths all are deep grooves that are meant Scales from 468 specimens ranging for increasing the surface area of scale to from 17 - 62 em total body length collected accommodate growth ridges (Fig. 1b). during February 2001 -March 2003 from Circuli on the scale constitute the elevated Harike w~tland, Punjab, India (31°13'N, ridges with upper smooth circular 75° 12'E) were studied. The methods of margins. Equally spaced small elevated scale collection, preparation for study and projections, the lepidonts are present on age determination including the growth these circuli and are meant for anchoring parameters were based on standard the scale to the body offish (Fig. 1c). The methodology (Tandon and Johal, 1996). zones where the circuli are closely packed are the annuli that form the basis for age For SEM analysis, normal scales were and growth study. The annulus, in SEM removed from 2nd I 3rd row of scales above elaboration, shows the presence of the lateral line exactly below the dorsal irregular, few broken circuli that extend fin. Lateral line scales were selected from throughout the periphery of scale (Fig. 1d). the middle of the line while regenerated SCALE STRUCTURE, AGE AND GROWTH IN THE FRESHWATER CARP, 7 3 LABEO CALBASU (PISCES/CYPRINIDAE) FROM HARIKE WETLAND, INDIA
Fig. I : SEM micrographs of normal scale of L. calbasu showing la: Focus (F) and Larval Mark (LM) 1 b : Radii (R) lc : Circuli (C) and Lepidonts (L) ld: Annulus (A) le : Chromatophores in posterior region (PRJ lf: Single chromatophore (C) in magnification
The posterior exposed region of scale is These tubercles give color to fish body and covered with skin that folds variously to are elongated, biconvex discs of various form chromatophore bearing tubercles. sizes and shapes (Fig. le). 74 N. K. BHATIA AND A DUA
Fig. 2 : SEM micrographs of regenerated scale of L. calbasu showing 2a :Regenerated region 2b : Chromatophores of regenerated scale
Fig. 3 : SEM micrographs of lateral line scale of L. calbasu showing 3a : Lateral line canal (LL) 3b :Anterior ending of sheath (S) covering lateral line
The regenerated or replacement scale chromatophores differ considerably from that is formed as a result of injury to body those of the normal scale (Fig. 2b). shows different structural architecture The lateral line whenviewed through when compared with normal scale. The SEM appears to be uniformly covered with regenerated platelet is marked by the a cover having perforations on its surface. presence of a meshwork of irregularly The periphery of the lateral line has arranged small bony flakes (Fig. 2a). irregularly arranged circuli with no Regularity is attained after the scale uniformity (Fig. 3a, b). The lateral line is resumes its original size. This scale is characteristic with respect to its shape, devoid of focus possesses sparse and position, perforations and anterior margin irregularly arranged radii and its of covering sheath. SCALE STRUCTURE, AGE AND GROWTH IN THE FRESHWATER CARP, 7 5 LABEO CALBASU (PISCES/CYPRINIDAE) FROM HARIKE WETLAND, INDIA
Age and growth study: The cycloid with high degree of positive correlation (r scales of L. calbasu exhibit circuli, the = 0.92) was observed. The regression distance between which decreases during equation has been calculated by the method winter and increases during summer of least squares and is as under. indicating slow and fast periods of growth Y = -2.02 + 0.43 X (r=0.92 ; N=468) respectively. The spawning act of this species during the south-west monsoon Where Y stands for lateral scale radius causes the annulus formation with circuli in em and X for total length in em and N showing irregular arrangement during is the total number of specimens. The July-August. In addition to the presence regression line so calculated fitted the data of true annuli on scale, there are false well and when extrapolated, cut the X axis annuli and larval mark; but for the growth at 3 em or 30 mm that corresponded to a study only the true annuli corresponding length at which the scales first made their to clear cut grooves extending to all sides appearance on fish body. This is re'garded of scale were considered. As far as the as correction factor. shape of scale and the characteristics of Based on the scale observations, back various types of annuli are concerned the lengths and growth increment for each facts conform to the earlier observations age class were calculated (Table 1). Present made on scale of Lab eo species (Gupta and sample showed six age classes in the Jhingran, 1973; Singh, 1978; Tandon and population. Maximum number of Johal, 1983; Tandon et al., 1989; Johal et specimens belonged to age class III followed al., 1993, 1996, 2001). by IV, II, V, I and VI respectively. This A linear relationship between total fish indicated maximum vulnerability of age length and lateral scale radius (Fig. 4) class III and IV to fishing gears. So far maximum number of age classes was Total length vs lateral scale reported from river Yamuna and radius of Labeo calbasu Jaisamand Lake (I-VIII) and minimum from River Ghagger (I-V) for this species 30 -E (Gupta and Jhingran, 1973; Tandon et al., I.) 25 II) 20 1989). ::I -o 15 .... 10 Maximum growth as shown by annual "'Ql 1'0 5 growth increment (h) occurred in the first I.) (I) 0 year of life with a declining trend as age 0 20 40 60 80 increased except in age class VI indicating Total body length (em) the phenomenon of growth compensation Fig. 4 :Relationship between total length at this age. This phenomenon has been given profound importance by several and lateral scale radius in L. calbasu from Harike. Total body workers in the life history of a fish species (Hile, 1936; Van Oosten, 1939, 1942; length (em) along abscissa and lateral scale radius (em) along Deason and Hile, 1947; Valtonen and ordinate. 76 N. K. BHATIA AND A DUA
Table 1 : Back calculated lengths, BCL (em) for Labeo calbasu from Harike wetland during Feb. 2001- March 2003.
AGE NO. L(cm) LSR(cm) BCL1 BCL2 BCL3 BCIA BCL5 BCL6 1 31 23.4 7.9 17.70
2 86 33.8 12.0 18.60 28.66
3 153 37.5 13.6 17.20 25.57 33.44
4 106 41.2 15.5 16.55 24.19 31.58 37.01
5 67 47.0 19.4 16.83 23.63 30.67 36.79 42.01
6 25 57.6 25.8 14.42 23.52 31.99 41.51 47.01 54.42
Av. 468 40.03 15.78 16.88 25.11 31.92 38.43 44.51 54.42
Valtonen, 1978; Tandon and J ohal, 1983, Table 2 enlists vanous growth 1996). Its occurance is found to be parameters translating the growth history universal in all natural populations and of this fish species in statistical terms. it can occur at any stage of life. The The specific rate oflinear growth (CI) and number of age classes, occurrence of specific rate of weight increase (Cw) showed growth compensation conform to the a declining trend with sudden rise at the earlier observations made on this species last age class thus strengthening the from the same waterbody (Johal et al., occurrence of growth compensation in this 1996, 2001). year class. The index of species average
Table 2 : Growth profile of Labeo calbasu from Feb., 2001 - March, 2003
Age Class/Parameters 1 2 3 4 5 6 Back calculated length (BCL in em) 16.88 25.11 31.92 38.43 44.51 54.42 Annual growth increment (h) 16.88 8.23 6.81 6.51 6.08 9.91 Index of species average size (
size (
120 calculated to be 72 em (Fig. 6). While the .r: maximum size in the collected sample was 'OJ 100 c ... C1) c 80 -CI) 62 em which showed that this water body C1) E ClCI) 60 1!1 .... can further be exploited for even the bigger ..... () c c 40 Cl)._ samples. ....() C1) 20 Ultimate size of Labeo calbasu 0... 0 2 3 4 5 6
Age class 60 -E 0 Fig.5: Graph showing minimum - 40 +1:: theoretical harvestable size in ...! L.calbasu from Harike. Dark line 20
is for total length in percentage 0 of the length of last growth season 0 20 40 60 80 and light line for length increment Ln(cm) in percentage of first growth Fig.6: Graph showing ultimate sLze of season. L.calbasu from Harike 78 N. K. BHATIA AND A DUA
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