Study of some morphometric and meristic characteristics of Alepes vari

• Published in: Brazilian journal of biology Vol. 84
• Main Authors: Masood, Z, Hawa, N, Hassan, H.U, Mahboob, S, Chatta, A.M, Mushtaq, S, Ahmed, A.E, Swelum, A.A, Zulfiqar, T, Khan, T, Misned, F. Al
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association of the Brazilian Journal of Biology 01.01.2024
• ISSN: 1519-6984
• DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.257023

The present study examines the correlations between fifteen morphometric and ten meristic characters and total length (TL) of males, females, and combined sexes of Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) collected from Karachi fish harbor, West Wharf of Karachi Coast. Statistical analyses of linear regression relationships show mostly strong correlations (r[greater than or equal to]0.70; p<0.05) between total length (TL) and most morphometric characters in males, females, and combined sexes, except the height of pectoral-fin (PFH), and pelvic-fin base length (PelFL); whereas, meristic characters were found to be constant and indicate weak or negative type correlations (r[less than or equal to]0.50; p>0.05) with total length (TL). Hence, according to our present results, there is a direct relationship between the total length of fish and all morphometric characters, which were found to be the best indicators of positive allometric pattern growth in fish. Moreover, analysis of the 2-sample t-test revealed (t-test; p>0.05) that no sexual dimorphism was reported in Alepes vari. Thus, our present study could be valuable in systematic classification, sexual dimorphism, and management of this species on the Karachi coast.