Length-Weight Relationships, Condition Factor and Morphometric Characteristics of Schizothoracinae from Neelum and Jhelum Rivers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
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Pakistan J. Zool., pp 1-11, 2021. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20180216090213 Length-Weight Relationships, Condition Factor and Morphometric Characteristics of Schizothoracinae from Neelum and Jhelum Rivers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Tasleem Akhtar1, 2, Ghazanfar Ali1,* and Nuzhat Shafi2 1Department of Biotechnology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad 2Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad Article Information Received 02 September 2018 ABSTRACT Revised 04 March 2019 Accepted 03 May 2019 The morphometrics, length-weight relationships and condition factor are presented for commercially Available online 07 July 2020 important Schizothoracinae from Neelum and Jhelum rivers during 2015-2016. In the present study, four species of Schizothorax had been found, in which three species were already reported (S. esocinus, S. Authors’ Contribution plagiostomus and S. progastus) and one new species (S. niger) was found first time in AJK. One hundred TA and GA designed the experiments, and fifty-nine specimens of S. plagiostomus, 74 specimens of S. esocinus, 21 specimens of S. progastus analyzed the data and wrote the and 8 specimens of S. niger were taken for the study. The maximum snout length, eye diameter, length of manuscript. TA conducted the experiments. NS helped in sample lateral line, head length, dead depth and pre anal length were observed in S. niger followed by S. esocinus collection. and two other species. Overall value of “b’ fluctuated from 1.183 to 2.711 which did not follow the cube law (b=3) and indicated the negative allometric (b<3) growth pattern. Studies on condition factor (K) of Key words Schizothorax species revealed the lowest values. High pollution load and environmental stress on these Co-efficient of correlation, LWR, species seems to be very high and not led to the ideal growth pattern. It is concluded that, the fish is under Morphometrics, Schizothoracinae, the physiological stress and it is very essential for fishery managers to impose adequate regulations for Wellbeing of fish sustainable fishery management and conservation in this state of Pakistan, in which most of population depend upon fish resources. No information regarding LWRs and morphometric measurements of S. progastus and S. niger was available in Fish Base. INTRODUCTION size and number of scales and gill rakers (Jhingran, 1991). Morphological variation in fishes may provide a good any freshwater fish species are currently threatened record of short-term population structuring. It is often Mby direct and indirect influence of human activities, environmentally induced for aquatic environments can such as habitat destruction and fragmentation (Mir et al., exhibit great spatial or temporal variability in both abiotic 2013). Construction of dams across rivers in particular and biotic habitat parameters (Langerhans et al., 2003; affects fish movements, which may restrict the gene flow Langerhans et al., 2007). There are many well documented and lead to differentiation of populations (Meldgaard et studies that provide evidence for stock discrimination based al., 2003). The anthropogenicOnline disturbances are likelyFirst on traditional Article morphometric characters (Quilang et al., to alter the genetic diversity within populations and 2007; Więcaszek et al., 2007; Bektas and Belduz, 2009). genetic differentiation between populations (Yamamoto However, a new system of morphometric measurements et al., 2004). The long-term isolation of populations and called the truss network system, constructed with the help interbreeding can lead to morphometric variations between of landmark points, has been increasingly used for stock populations, and this morphometric variation can provide identification Mir( et al., 2013). a basis for population differentiation. Morphometric Like the other morphological characteristics, the differences among stocks of a species are recognized as an LWR could be used for the taxonomic differentiation and important tool for evaluating the population structure and different developmental events such as onset of maturity, as a basis for identifying stocks (Turan, 1999). metamorphosis and growth (Thomas et al., 2003). It can Morphological characters useful in identification also be used to create an equation to quantify the total fish include shape of head, position and shape of the mouth, landed and compare the different population in a specific area (Singh et al., 2011). LWR is helpful in fish biology * Corresponding author: [email protected] in numerous ways: to calculate the total fish weight from 0030-9923/2021/0001-0001 $ 9.00/0 its length, to estimate the condition factor, life history and Copyright 2021 Zoological Society of Pakistan morphometric characters of different populations (Sani et 2 T. Akhtar et al. al., 2010) and to study the allometric changes (Teixeira de Sample collection Mello et al., 2006). Current study estimates the weight-length Moreover, the weight-length relationship improves relationship, condition factor and morphometric the information about the history of commercially valuable characteristics of four endemic Schizothorax species from fishes, thus enhance the knowledge of conservation and river Neelum and Jhelum of AJK, Pakistan during 2015 to management. Fulton’s condition factor (Kn) is generally 2016. The fish samples were randomly collected by local used in fisheries science to describe the condition of fish fisherman from River Jhelum and Neelum, Muzaffarabad by calculating the weight-length relationship (Froese, (from Ghori to Kohala) with GPS coordinates viz. river 2006). The state of sexual maturity, age, sex, and the Neelum (Ghori, 34°26’47.1”N 73°30’38.9”E; Challah availability of food sources in fish species were indicated Bandi, 34°23’03.0”N 73°27’53.8”E) and river Jhelum by different values in K (Anibeze, 2000). The LWR is also (Airport, 34°19’46.3”N 73°30’44.8”E; Garhi Dupatta, very essential component of Fish Base (Froese and Pauly, 34°14’05.7”N 73°36’31.6”E; Domail, 34°21’14.6”N 2012). Additionally, it also provides useful information 73°28’03.8”E; Chatter, 34°20’13.8”N 73°27’10.8”E; of environmental and climate changes, and variation in Ambore, 34°19’50.3”N 73°27’57.1”E; Chatter Kalass, practices of human survival. A lot of LWR data is available 34°12’25.1”N 73°29’50.8”E; Kohala, 34°05’48.2”N for European and North American freshwater fishes, but 73°29’52.0”E) from 2014 to 2015. are lacking for most tropical and sub-tropical fish species The collection points in the study were not part of (Dubey et al., 2012; Mir et al., 2012). any reserve forests, protected area, and national park. Family Cyprinidae, genus Schizothorax locally All the fish samples were carefully handled to avoid known as snow trout is abundant in the Rivers and streams the damages during studies. The Board of Advanced of the Himalaya and Central Asia (Mir et al., 2012). Studies and Research, University of Azad Jammu and Schizothorax species are the endemic carps of Neelum Kashmir, Muzaffarabad permit to conduct this study and Jhelum Rivers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. in Jhelum and Neelum Rivers of Muzaffarabad city. Genus Schizothorax in these rivers was represented by No specific permission was required for collection sites four species i.e., S. plagiostomus, S. esocinus, S. niger and the collected fish samples were anesthetized by and S. progastus. It is highly preferred by the local masses immersion in 1% benzocaine in water and euthanized by because of its food value and taste that fetches high market benzocaine excess. The labeled samples were packed in price (Akhtar et al., 2016). polyethylene bags and brought back to the Laboratory LWR have been extensively studied across the world of Molecular Genetics, University of Azad Jammu and (Bhat et al., 2010; Drouineau et al., 2010; Shadi et al., Kashmir for further research analysis. After analysis, 2011; Dar et al., 2012; Sarkar et al., 2012; Mir et al., 2012). voucher specimens were kept in 70% ethanol and stored in In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, there is inadequate study on Zoological museum hall of the University of Azad Jammu LWRs and condition factor of snow trouts fishes a recent and Kashmir, Pakistan. The collected voucher specimen contribution of Akhtar et al. (2016) is available on LWR, were recognized according to Jayaram (1999) identification condition factor and sex ratio of only S. plagiostomus key. The S. plagiostomus has a suctorial mouth and the from River Neelum and JhelumOnline of Kashmir. Moreover, First body is uniformalyArticle silvery without any black spot. The there is no information about morphometrics, LWR dorsal fin of S. plagiostomus is inserted nearer to the tip and wellbeing of other Schizothorax species from of snout than caudle fin base. The phenotypic characters of River Neelum and Jhelum of AJK therefore, taking S. progastus are similar to S. plagiostomus but, the dorsal into consideration of above facts, the current study fin is inserted midway between the tip of snout and caudle fin base. The S. niger, has a mouth horse-shoe shaped. Its was conducted to establish the growth pattern, general lips are rounded and fleshy and the body is much darker in condition and morphometrics of these species from color. In S. esocinus, the mouth is not sectorial while, the natural habitat for conservation and assessment. lips are soft and pointed. The cleft of mouth is deep while, the side and back of the body have the small irregular MATERIALS AND METHODS spots. These species were also identified byAkhtar and Ali (2016) through molecular DNA barcoding, and barcode of Ethical statement life data system search engine (BOLD). After removing the All animal experimental procedures were conducted excess water on the specimens by pressing with blotting in accordance with local and international regulations. paper, the weight and length measurements were taken at The international regulation is the Wet op de dierproeven the site using measuring scale (accuracy of 0.1cm) and (Article 9) of Dutch Law (International).