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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sara Marsham
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Sagittal otolith morphometric measurements from Malaysian Mugilidae species were selected to investigate their possible role in species identification, due to the Mugilidae species' morphological similarities, and age determination. Fish standard length (cm), otolith length (mu m), width (mu m) and mass (g) measurements were taken from eight species: Chelon macrolepis, C. melinopterus, C. subviridis, Ellochelon vaigiensis, Moolgarda cunnesius, M. seheli, Mugil cephalus and Valamugil engeli. Otolith aspect ratio, O-AS (otolith length divided by width), was calculated and compared between species. The four homogenous groups based on their OAS were C. melinopterus (mean=1.65) and V. engeli (1.66) and M. cunnesius (1.89) and E. vaigiensis (1.89); M. seheli (2.08), C. macrolepis (2.14) and M. cephalus (2.17); and the latter two with C. subviridis (2.43). The relationships between fish standard length and otolith length/mass showed positive correlations for both, with otolith length providing the stronger correlation (r(s) = 0.897, P < 0.001) than otolith mass (r(s) = 0.795, P < 0.001). It is concluded that the more morphologically similar species have similar otolith aspect ratios, related to head shape; however, otolith shape is also affected by a variety of other environmental factors that have to be taken account of.
Author(s): See M, Marsham S, Chang CW, Chong VC, Sasekumar A, Dhillon SK, Loh KH
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Sains Malaysiana
Year: 2016
Volume: 45
Issue: 5
Pages: 735-743
Print publication date: 01/05/2016
Acceptance date: 01/01/1900
ISSN (print): 0126-6039
Publisher: National University of Malaysia Press
URL: http://www.ukm.my/jsm/pdf_files/SM-PDF-45-5-2016/09%20Morwenna.pdf
