Seasonal variations in chromatophore index in fish Puntius sophore from Jammu water bodies, Jammu and Kashmir (India)

Abstract

The paper deals with the seasonal changes in colour/chromatophores in Puntius sophore. In the present studies chromatophore index has been calculated throughout different seasons for different size groups from the scales of the fish Puntius sophore and observations are recorded. Table 1 shows the average chromatophore index in all size groups in the month from June to August, the chromatophore index for A, B and C size groups in the month from June to August (Monsoon) is 49.33±3.21 to 51.04±2.64; 54.43±1.96 to 60.13±1.34 & 59.16±1.52 to 62.39±1.42 respectively. September onwards, the chromatophore index follows a decline trend, the values being 27.49±1.15 to 38.53±2.01; 28.36±2.03 to 47.23±1.03 & 31.46±2.03 to 48.61±1.33 for A, B & C size groups respectively. This indicates that chromatophores are concentrated in the monsoon and in post monsoon the chromatophore index decreases i.e. the chromatophores are dispersed in the post-monsoon. Colour changes result from dispersion and/or concentration of pigment granule with in epithelial chromatphores. In muddy water the chromatophore index is higher than that of the clean water. The results clearly show that during the monsoon period when there is a plenty of floods and water becomes muddy in the streams and rivers, the chromatophores begin to concentrate in the scales of the fish and density of chromatophores increases and develop dark black colours so as to become visible.