Morphometric characters and meristic Counts of a Fish, Crossocheilus latius latius (Hamilton-Buchanan) from Ranjit Sagar Wetland, India

Abstract

Morphometric characters and meristic count of a fish, Crossochelius latius latius (Hamilton-Buchanan) have been studied from Ranjit Sagar Wetland. Monthly sample collection of Crossochelius latius latius was conducted for the study of morphometric characters and meristic counts. Eighteen characters have been studied in percentage of total fish length from which thirteen characters were genetically controlled, four characters were intermediate and one character was environmentally controlled. In percentage of head length all characters were genetically controlled. The meristric characters were counted and to draw fin formula of this fish. Some variation in the count of branched and unbranched fin rays have been observed. However positive correlation has been observed between total length and external body parts. Thus, population appeared to be relatively uniform as revealed by morphometric characters, thus considered as isometric growth.