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Biometric studies on spotted sardinella amblygaster sirm (Walbaum, 1792)

(pisces: Clupeidae) occurring along andaman coast, india

Article  in  Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences · January 2018

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Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences
Vol. 47 (01), January 2018, pp. 135-140

Biometric studies on spotted sardinella Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum, 1792)

(Pisces: Clupeidae) occurring along Andaman coast, India
1
Sukham Monalisha Devi, *1Ashok Kumar Jaiswar, 1Rajan Kumar, 2Mohammad Irfan Ali, 2Sajin Velakkandy, 3Swapnil
Shirke, 1Shrinivas Jahageerdar & 1Sushanta Kumar Chakraborty
1
Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, Central institute of fisheries education, Mumbai-61, India
2
Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair-01, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
3
Fishery Survey of India, Port Blair-01, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
*[E-mail: akjaiswar@cife.edu.in]

Received 29 September 2015 ; revised 30 October 2016

All the morphometric variables of Amblygaster sirm show significant correlation between them except head length with
showed correlation coefficient of less than 0.80 with all other morphometric variables. Liner regression between standard
length and other morphometric variables showed R2 value of > 0.9 except for HL and BD were the values dropped below
0.75. Pairwise linear regression of log transformed morphometric variables with log-standard length shows negative
allometric growth for HL and positive allometric growth for body depth with standard length. Descriptive statistics for
morphometric and meristic characters were found to be in agreement with previous work. Spearman rank correlation shows
insignificant relation between meristic characters and standard length. L-W relationship for males and females were
established as W=0.000007L3.054 and W=0.000001L3.370 respectively. Relative condition factor (Kn) for females (mean=)
were found to be higher than males (mean=) throughout the year with no major seasonal fluctuation.

[Keywords: Amblygaster sirm, biometric, L-W relation, relative condition factor]

Introduction by locals. Previous estimates of morphometric and

India is one of the major fishing countries in the
world with 8,129 km coast line and 2.02 km2 EEZ1.
Clupeoids fishes contribute nearly 50 % of the pelagic
fish landings. They are most important marine fishes
across the globe, both in terms of the quantum of its
production and its socioeconomic importance to
coastal community. Spotted sardinella, Amblygaster
sirm is characterized by slender body and a series of
10-20 gold spots down the flank. They are distributed
all along Indo-West pacific. It is a coastal and pelagic
schooling fish2. Rajan et al. reported 19 clupeid
species from Andaman waters3. A. sirm is the most
important clupeid species from Andamans and landed
throughout the year. Major landing is from ring seines
targeting the shoals. A minor proportion is also
coming from gill nets. A. sirm is widely used as bait
in tuna long lining apart from being consumed fresh
meristic characters of A. sirm were done by Chan4,
Losse5, Whitehead2 and Vijayakumaran et al.6.
Length-weight relationships have been earlier worked
out by Athukoorala et al.7 from Sri Lankan waters and
Abdussamad et al8. from Gulf of Mannar ecosystem.
Studies on similar lines have not been carried out for
A. sirm from Andaman waters. Current investigation
is an attempt to quantify morphometric and meristic
characters of the species, their inter-relationship,
growth pattern, L-W relationship and condition factor
of the given species.
Materials and Methods
The present study was based on samples collected
from Junglighat and Dignabad Fish Landing Centre of
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Apart from
that, samples were also collected form fish markets. A
136 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018

total of only 40 specimens of A. sirm were examined were estimated to assess the differences across sexes
for morphometric and meristic studies as specimens and months of the year. All the statistical analysis was
with narrow band of size range were only available. performed using MS- Excel, PAST 3.0 and statistical
Eight morphometric characters namely standard software package Statistica.
length (SL), fork length (FL), total length (TL), head
length (HL), pre-dorsal length (PDL), pre-anal length Results
(PAL), pre-ventral length (PVL) and body depth (BD) Descriptive statistics of seven morphometric ratios
were recorded for the current investigation. The reveals maximum coefficient of variation for BD/SL
characters are selected considering their ease in (4.825%) followed by HL/SL (4.321) whereas
recording even at landing centre. Seven of the minimum were recorded for FL/SL (1.216) and
morphometric variables were scaled to standard TL/SL (1.369) (Table: 1). A correlation matrix
length and a descriptive statistics including mean, (Pearson) of eight morphometric variables showed
maximum, minimum, standard deviation and significant correlation between the variables. A high
coefficient were tabulated for comparative study with correlation of > 0.94 was observed between SL, FL
past literature. Similarly, descriptive statistics for and TL. Head length was found to be least correlated
eight meristic characters namely dorsal fin rays (DF), with other morphometric variables with highest
ventral fin rays (VF), Anal fin rays (AF) , pectoral fin recorded coefficient of 0.754 with PDL and lowest of
rays (PF), caudal fin rays (CF), belly scutes (SC) , 0.594 with FL. Body depth also showed relatively
gillrakers (GR) and branchiostegal rays (BR) were lower correlation (<0.9) with the size variables (SL,
also tabulated which includes median, mode, FL and SL) (Table: 2).
frequency of mode, minimum, maximum and
coefficient of variation. A Pearson correlation matrix
for morphometric variables was generated to see
nature of relationship between them. For meristic
characters a Spearman rank correlation was calculated
with standard length to explore the relationship
between length of fish and meristic counts. Linear
relationship of different morphometric variables with
standard length was established using least square
method described by Laevastu9 and Snedecor and
Cochran10. Pairwise linear regression of log-
transformed morphometric variables with log-
standard length were carried out and regression
coefficient were assessed for allometric growth of the
considered variable with respect to standard length11,
12
. Length weight relationships were established for
males, females and pooled data separately using the
formula of LeCren13. For estimating L-W
relationships samples were collected over a period of
one year covering 588 male specimens and 616
female specimens. Analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA) was carried out to assess the difference
in mean log-weight of females adjusted for covariate Performed linear regression between SL (X-
(log-length) and to test the homogeneity of regression variable) and other morphometric variables (Y-
slopes between males and females at 1% and 5% level variables) shows a near linear fit with highest R2
of significance. A student t- test was carried out for value recorded for FL (0.9272). A lower R2 value of <
calculated “b” value against the value of 3 to test the 0.75 was estimated for HL (0.4057) and BD (0.7247)
growth pattern of males and females against the null (Fig. 1). A pair wise linear regression between SL (X-
hypothesis of isometric growth (H0: b=3) both at 1% variable) and other morphometric variables (Y-
and 5% level of significance. A month wise relative variables) after log transformation showed a „b‟ value
condition factor13 for males, females and pooled data of near unity for TL, FL, PAL, PVL and PDL.
 DEVI et al.: BIOMETRIC STUDY ON AMBLYGASTER SIRM FROM ANDAMANS 137

Regression coefficient (b) values of near unity show
isometric growth of the variable with respect to
standard length. A substantially lower value of „b‟
(0.745) has been recorded in case of head length (HL)
showing negative allometric growth. On the other
hand body depth (BD) recorded a positive allometric
growth with respect to standard length with a
regression coefficient of 1.493 (Fig. 2).
Descriptive statistics of eight meristic characters
recorded highest variation in case of gillrakers
followed by anal fin rays with respective coefficient
of variation of 7.33% and 6.99%. Ventral fin rays (8)
and branchiostegal rays (5) remained constant
throughout the examined specimens (Table: 3).

Fig.1. Relationship (Linear fit) between morphometric Fig.2. Relationship (Linear fit) between log- transformed
variables and standard length morphometric variables and log standard length

Table 3- Descriptive statistics for meristic counts of Amblygaster sirm

Freq. of
Meristics N Median Mode mode Min. Max. Losse5 Chan4 Vijayakumaran et al. 6
DF 40 18 18 35 18 19 17-19 17-19 16-18
PF 40 17 17 31 16 17 16-17 16-18
VF 40 8 8 40 8 8
AF 40 17 17 22 15 21 20-22 16-18 17-20
CF 40 25 24 20 24 26
SC 40 31 31 15 29 34 29-32 29-31
GR 40 36 Multi 6 33 41 31-42 38-42 38-42
BR 40 5 5 40 5 5

Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rho) Male: W=0.000007L3.054

between meristic variables and standard length (size Female: W=0.000001L3.370
variable) were found to be insignificant both at 1% Pooled: W=0.000003L3.216
and 5% level of significance level. None of the Same power function could be written in linear for
variable recorded a rank correlation coefficient of > after log-transformation as:
0.30 (Table: 4). Male: LogW=-5.125 + 3.054 LogL
Length-weight relationship and condition factor Female: LogW=-5.872 + 3.371 LogL
Length-weight relationship for males, females and Pooled: LogW=-5.507 + 3.216 LogL
pooled data were established as:
 138 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018

Table 4- Spearman rank correlation coefficient of meristic

counts with standard length for A. sirm

Meristics Corr. Coeff. With SL Sig. (2-tailed)

DF -0.036 0.825*
PF -0.156 0.337*
VF NA NA
AF -0.024 0.883*
CF 0.213 0.187*
SC 0.024 0.883*
0.815*
GR -0.038 Fig.5. Length-weight relationship for A. sirm (pooled).
BR NA NA
*Insignificant at 1% and 5% of level of significance Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for log
transformed length and weight indicated no difference
Power relationship of length and weight for males in mean weight of males and females (adjusted for
(Fig. 3), female (Fig. 4) and pooled (Fig. 5) is being covariate length) but same is not true for regression
presented in form of scatterplots. slope. Regression slope for males and females are
significantly different at both 1% and 5% level of
significance as indicated by p (0.0077)<0.01 (Table:
5). The regression slope between Log W and Log L
for both male and female is depicted in a scattergram
(Fig. 6). A t-test conducted separately for male and
female to explore the growth pattern of the same.
Female showed a positive allometric growth both at 1
% and 5% level of significance indicated by higher
calculated t-statistic (5.029) than table value. On the
other hand male showed isometric growth as
calculated t-statistic (0.573) was smaller than table
value both at 1% and 5% level of significance.

Fig.3. Length-weight relationship for A. sirm (male).

Table 5- ANCOVA table for test equality of means (Log w),
adjusted for covariate and for homogeneity of slopes

Sum of Mean p
sqrs. df square F (same)

Adj. mean: 0.0018 1 0.0018 0.845 0.358

Adj. error: 2.5241 1201 0.0021

Adj. total: 2.5258 1202

Test for homogeneity (equality) of slopes

F: 7.12

p (same) 0.0077 (<0.01 shows inequality of slopes)

Fig.4. Length-weight relationship for A. sirm (female).
 DEVI et al.: BIOMETRIC STUDY ON AMBLYGASTER SIRM FROM ANDAMANS 139

study) of the sample specimens were owing to the fact

that A. sirm fishery in Andamans is of ring seine type
targeting shoal of only a specific size range.
Nevertheless, the mean value of the morphometric
ratios presented in current work (Table: 1) were in
broad agreement with previous works4, 5. Most of the
morphometric variables showed linear relationship
with standard length with high R2 value except head
length and body depth (R2 <0.75). Pairwise regression
of these two variables after log transformation gave a
regression coefficient quite different from unity,
Fig.6. Regression slope of length-weight relationship for males
(red) and females (black) of A. sirm showing strong allometric growth with respect to
standard length explaining poor R2 value for linear
Relative condition factor (Kn) for male, female and regression model and their lower correlation
pooled data were estimated in current study. For coefficient with longitudinal size variables (SL, FL
males the Kn ranges from 0.356 to 1.70, whereas for and TL). Head length in current study showed
females the value was estimated between 0.936 and negative allometric growth which is common in
2.163. The pooled data showed the range of 0.350- several group of fishes. The rate of growth of head
1.683. The mean relative condition factor for female length slows down as fish grows bigger in length with
(1.349) is higher than that of male (1.077). A month age14. Present study also recorded a positive
wise exploration of Kn indicates no major fluctuation allometric growth in body depth. A. sirm, especially
across the year for both males and females (Table: 6). females tend to become broader as they grow in
length/age which could be easily visualized by seeing
Table 6- Month wise relative condition factor (female, male male and females of same length simultaneously. The
and pooled) A. sirm
increasing broadness is possibly more evident once
Mean Relative condition factor the fishes surpass its length at first maturity (L m).
Pooled Female Male Several other fishes were also found to show positive
Month N Kn N Kn N Kn allometric growth for morphometric variables
Jan 105 1.0632 50 1.3619 55 1.1021 explaining body width15. The descriptive statistics for
eight considered meristic characters were found to be
Feb 103 1.0939 32 1.4402 71 1.1174
in agreement of with previous literatures4, 5, 6. Poor
Mar 116 1.0618 42 1.3745 74 1.094 spearman rank correlation coefficient (<0.30) for all
Apr 109 1.0362 65 1.3394 44 1.0653 the meristic characters (Table: 4) with SL shows no
May 104 1.055 62 1.3648 42 1.0858 definitive increasing or decreasing pattern of meristic
Jun 108 1.0098 76 1.2986 32 1.0738 counts with increase in length. This implies that the
size of the fish do not dictates the carried meristic
Jul 111 1.0234 63 1.3227 48 1.0558
counts.
Aug 94 1.0274 65 1.3574 29 1.01 Length weight relationship showed differential
Sep 68 1.0249 40 1.3153 28 1.0689 growth pattern for males and females. An isometric
Oct 73 1.0554 36 1.3796 37 1.075 relationship was observed for males whereas females
Nov 104 1.0326 44 1.3386 60 1.06 grow in allometric fashion. Athukoorala et al.7
reported positive allometric growth for both males
Dec 109 1.0488 41 1.3722 68 1.0707
and females from waters of Sri Lanka. Abdussamad et
Total 1204 1.0447 616 1.3495 588 1.0779 al.8 estimated „b‟ as 3.207 (for pooled data) for A.
Min. 0.3508 0.9362 0.3569 sirm from Gulf of Mannar which is quite similar to
Max. 1.6826 2.1635 1.7316 the findings of current study (3.216). Positive
allometric growth for females appears quite obvious
Discussion owing to broader body than their male counterparts of
All the considered morphometric ratios showed same length. Here, it is worth mentioning that
relatively lower coefficient of variation (Table: 1) majority of the specimens considered for current
which could possibly be due to narrow band of size estimation were of size possibly greater than reported
range (TL=19.1-24.0 cm) explored during the present length at first maturity (Lm) of 16 cm by Abdussamad
study. The narrow size range (constraint of present et al.8 and hence strong positive allometry seems quite
 140 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 01, JANUARY 2018
justifiable. Relative condition factor of a fish is
affected by several factors like feeding intensity and
gonad development13. During current investigation
relative condition factor (Kn) for females were higher
than that of males for the entire year. Similar
condition was also reported for other clupeids16.
Relative condition factor for both males and females
showed no prominent difference across different
months of year. Such a condition could be attributed
to the asynchronous breeding behavior of the species,
spanning over most parts of the year8. To add to this,
similar feeding intensity throughout the year
(observed during current study) could possibly be
accountable for similar Kn for all the months.
Conclusion
Current study reveals that most of the
morphometric variable follow isometric growth
pattern barring head length and body depth. They
show negative and positive allometric growth with
respect to standard length respectively. A sex
segregated morphometric assessment along with
larger sample size with bigger size range could fine
tune the current estimates in future. Females show
positive allometric growth different from isometric
growth pattern of males. Condition factor of females
were higher than males. Kn for both males and
females do not show any seasonality. A detailed
biological estimate on feeding and reproductive
aspect is required to unravel the underlying reason for
such pattern.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Director, ICAR-
CIFE, Mumbai; Director, CIARI Port Blair and
Scientist In-charge, Fisheries Division, CIARI, Port
Blair for providing funds and facilities to conduct this
study.
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