J Bangladesh Agril Univ 16(1): 164–170, 2018 doi: 10.3329/jbau.v16i1.36498 ISSN 1810-3030 (Print) 2408-8684 (Online) Journal of Bangladesh Agricultural University Journal home page: http://baures.bau.edu.bd/jbau, www.banglajol.info/index.php/JBAU Landmark-based morphometric and meristic analysis in response to characterize the wild Bhagna, Labeo ariza populations for its conservation A. K. Shakur Ahammad, Md. Borhan Uddin Ahmed, Salma Akhter and Md. Kamal Hossain Department of Fisheries Biology & Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh ARTICLE INFO Abstract The landmark-based morphometric and meristic analysis of three different stocks from the Atrai, the Article history: Jamuna and the Kangsha of Bhagna (Labeo ariza, Hamilton 1807) were examined from a phenotypical Received: 26 December 2017 point of view to evaluate the population structure and to assess shape variation. A total of 90 Bhagna (L. Accepted: 04 April 2018 ariza) were collected from three different water bodies: the Atrai, the Jamuna and the Kangsha of Keywords: Bangladesh during January, 2017. Ten morphometric and nine meristic characters were analyzed along Landmark based morphometry, with twenty two truss network measurements. One way ANOVA showed that all morphometric, meristic Labeo ariza, River, Body Shape and truss network measurement were significantly different (P<0.001) among three different stock of the fish. For morphometric and landmark measurements, the first discriminant functions (DF) accounted for Variation 98.6% and 97.9% and the second DF accounted for 1.4% and 2.1%, respectively among group variability, Correspondence: explaining 100% of total among groups variability. For the morphometric and truss network A. K. Shakur Ahammad measurements, plotting discriminant functions showed a well separated clusters of the stocks indicating ([email protected]) that the measurement were significantly different among three stocks. The dendrogram based on morphometric and landmark distances data showed two major clusters; the Atrai and Jamuna stocks in one cluster and the Kangsha stock in another cluster. High degree of variation was observed in morphological characteristics among three different stocks (the Atrai, Jamuna and Kangsha) of L .ariza due to their environmental variation and separate geographical location. The results of this study are very useful for proper conservation and successful management of L. ariza and also for the scientific community for the further research. Introduction fish is a water column feeder and omnivore in nature Bhagna (Labeo ariza) is considered as one of the most and grows to a maximum size of 40 to 50 cm in total important small indigenous species (sis) in Bangladesh. length (Rahman, 2005; Felts et al., 1996; This fish is easily recognizable by its medium sized Akhteruzzaman et al., 1998). Breeding takes place in silvery scales, deep bluish or darkish upper body part flooded shallows in June-September (Roberts, 1997). and the shiny and silvery lower body part. The lateral Male is smaller than female (Talwar and Jhingran 1991). line has 38 or 39 scales, most of them appearing as a But according to Akhteruzzaman et al., (1998) and black mark elongated from the base margin of the Hussainand Mazid (2001), the spawning season of operculum to the tail during the early stage of life Bhagna starts in April and ends in August with peak (Rahman et al.,2009) while in the adult stage this black spawning occurring during the rainy seasons in flowing mark becomes shorter and remains between the flood waters. operculum to the end of the belly. (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991; Hussain and Mazid, 2001; Rahman, 2005). This During the last few decades, the population of Bhagna fish is distributed over Indo-pacific region (Jhingran, has declined considerably due to increased fishing 1991; Walter, 1994; Rahman, 2005;Hogan, 2012). It pressure and various anthropogenic activities leading to inhabits clear rivers and tanks (Naser, 2015).In siltation, aquatic pollution, and loss of natural habitat for Bangladesh it is widely distributed in the Karnafuly spawning and growth of this species. (Akhteruzzaman et River and adjacent basins in Chittagong hill tracts al., 1998; Hussain and Mazid, 2001). Recently this (Hogan, 2012; Roberts, 1997; Kohinoor et al.,1998). species has been listed in IUCN red list (Dahanukar, Naturally this fish is also distributed in most of the small 2010). So this species needs to be conserve in natural rivers, floodplains, creeks natural depressions of water body. Appropriate management strategy should be Bangladesh (Hussain and Mazid, 2001; Felts et al., established to make it secure in nature as it is a highly 1996). The fish is a plankton and detritus feeder. This popular fish to the consumers due to its oily flesh and fish additionally grows up to 30.0 cm in standard length taste qualities. Information on the biology and and weight of 1,360 g. Females and males becomes population structure of any species is a prerequisite for sexually mature within one year and customarily by the developing management and conservation strategies terminus of first year. (Ahammad et al., 2015). On the (Turan et. al., 2006). From the previous study it can be other hand, in their studies they showed that Bhagna easily said that to depicture stocks of a particular fish, the analysis of phenotypic variation in morphometric or Landmark based morphological analysis of Bhagna, Labeo ariza for its conservation meristic characters is the most commonly used method (Creech, 1992; Mamuris et al., 1998; Bronte et al., 1999; Hockaday et al., 2000). Recognition of morphometric differences among stocks of a species are very important for evaluating the population structure of that species and as a basis for identifying stocks (Vishalakshi and Singh, 2008). Morphometric and meristic characters of fish are the measurable and countable characters, respectively common to all fishes (Rahman et al., 2014). Landmarks may define as some arbitrarily points which is selected on a fish’s body and with the help of these arbitrarily points, the individual Fig 01: Morphometric measurements of L. ariza fish body shape can be analyzed. Truss network systems which is constructed with the help of this landmark points are powerful tools for stock identification. A sufficient degree of isolation may result in notable morphological, meristic and shape differentiation among different stocks of a species which may be a basis for identifying the stocks. Therefore, it is indispensable to know the morphological and meristic variations among the Atrai river, Jamuna river and Kangsha river as a Fig 02: Locations of the 10 landmarks for constructing the preliminary base line information. There is possibly no truss network on L. ariza illustrated as black dots and previous information regarding the phenotypical morphometric distance measures between the dots as lines. Landmarks refer to (1) anterior tip of snout at upper jaw, (2) variations of the Atrai, Jamuna and Kangsha river most posterior aspect of neuro cranium (beginning of scaled source of L. ariza and there is a few attempts by the nape), (3) origin of dorsal fin, (4) insertion of dorsal fin, (5) scientific community to investigate the population anterior attachment of dorsal membrane from caudal fin, (6) structure of L. ariza based on genetic aspects. The anterior attachment of ventral membrane from caudal fin, (7) present research work has therefore been undertaken to insertion of anal fin, (8) origin of anal fin, (9) insertion of know the population structure of L. ariza from a pelvic fin and (10) insertion of pectoral fin. phenotypical point of view to determine the A total of 9 meristic characters: dorsal fin rays (DFR), morphometrics among three river stocks named the pectoral fin rays (PCFR), pelvic fin rays (PVFR), anal Atrai, Jamuna and Kangsha. fin rays (AFR), caudal fin rays (CFR), branchiostegal rays (BSR), scale above lateral line (SaLL), sacale on Materials and Methods lateral line, (SabLL) and scale below lateral line (SbLL) Sample collection and measurement were analyzed. All the meristic counts were set up During January, 2017, a total of 90 Bhagna, L. ariza against incoming light direction in the room with the were collected live in oxygenated polythene bags from help of needle and small pins for easy counting. Ten the Atrai, Jamuna and Kangsha river (30 species from landmarks delineating 22 distances were measured on each river) and kept temporarily in three separate the fish body (Fig. 02). Each landmark was obtained by cement tank at the wet laboratory complex, adjacent to placing a fish on graph paper and then the landmarks the Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural were detected with colored pointers for enabling University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh. The fishes accurate and consistent measurements. Finally, the were measured as 15.20-21.90 cm in total length (TL) distances on the graph paper were measured using by a measuring scale and 73-114 g in weight by a centimeter scale. sensitive portable electric balance (AND, Japan). Mean Table 01. Average length (cm) and weight (g) of the length, mean weight and sample size of each sample samples collected from different sources were shown in table 01. Before starting the measurement fishes were handled with the help of a Group Name Sample Total Length Weight small piece of cloth and water was sucked finely by size (M±SD) (M±SD) blotting paper from the fish body surface. For collecting Atrai River 30 21.11±0.39 106.14±0.56 Jamuna River 30 17.81±0.59 86.36±1.29 morphometric data, “Truss network system” was used. Kangsha River 30 15.92±0.48 78.43±0.31 Data points were arranged in “trusses” around the fish, a Total 90 18.28±2.21 90.31±3.08 layout which maximizes the number of measurements and increases the sensitivity of the analysis were shown Statistical analyses in Fig.