Discrimination of <i>Nemipterus japonicus</i> (Bloch, 1791) stock from Maharashtra and Goa states of India

Abstract

<i>Nemipterus japonicus</i> specimens collected from Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Panaji showed positive and high degree of correlation (P<0.01) in between various morphometrics. Pooled regression equation for Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Panaji established between fork length and total length was FL = 0.2404 + 0.8912 TL, while estimated equation of standard length on total length was SL = 0.1866 + 0.7736 TL. Established regression equations for head length on total length and head length on standard length were HL = - 0.1102 + 0.2465 TL and HL = - 0.1641 + 0.3181 SL respectively. Weight on total length relationships for Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Panaji specimens did not differ significantly, therefore, data was pooled and estimated regression equation was W = 0.0141 TL ^3.0103, wherein isometric growth was observed. There were no significant differences observed between the relationships established among the morphometric characters as well as among length-weight relationships of <i style="">N. japonicus</i> collected from Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Panaji.<b style=""> </b>The above envisages that fish which landed at all the three localities belonged to a single stock.