Abstract:
Species characterization using morphological and allozyme genetic markers were
attempted for three common morphologically close catfishes, namely Macronus
gulio (Family Bagridae), Long whiskers cat fish, Ariusjella (Syn. Pseudariusje/la)
or (Family Tachysuridae) Small eye cat fish and Tachysurus macularus (Family
Tachysuridae), Spotted cat fish. The degree of morphological variation of three
common catfishes was evaluated using selected morphometric and meristic
characters. Results of the univariate ANOVA and multivariate analysis revealed
highly significant heterogeneity among three groups of fishes, but only Macronus
gulio can easily be separated from other two species. It can be identified easily
externally by counting pairs of barbells which has four while other two species had
three pairs. Six linear measures (HW, OL, POL, MG, MAX and NASAL) and one
truss measure (anal to adepose) were found to be significantly different among the
catfishes. Here also all the linear measures could differentiate only the M. gulio
from the other two. Two tachysurids could not be distinguished from each other, j
However the single truss character could distinguish all three from each other, j
|
Therefore that character seems to be the suitable character in diagnosing these |
catfishes. The genetic analysis in the present study was not capable of supporting 1
the results of the morphological analysis due to various technical difficulties.
Further genetic analyses are needed in this regard.
