Phenotypic variation of Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) from Indian rivers using truss network and geometric morphometrics

Abstract

Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) is an economically important food fish species occurring throughout Indian rivers, which also has ornamental value. This study focuses on morphological variations in C. chitala from seven river basins across India namely; Son, Tons, Ken, Brahmaputra, Ganga, Gomti and Gandak. A truss network was constructed by interconnecting nine landmarks to generate 36 morphometric variables extracted from digital images of specimens sampled from the study locations. Transformed truss measurements were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), canonical discriminant function analysis (CDFA) and discriminant analyses of principal components (DAPC). DAPC function coefficients performed much better in capturing the variation pattern and discrimination between the rivers which was not achieved using CDFA. Eight truss variables were identified with significant and highest loading for truss variables on principal components and coefficients on discriminant function from DAPC contributing to maximum variation between the rivers. Performance graph and functional distribution of identified truss variables clearly indicated distinction between the rivers. Thin plate spline analysis and procrustes shape analysis further showed the variation in morphology between specimens across the rivers. The significant parameters differentiating specimens from different rivers were linked to dorsal fin origin, the base of the pectoral fin and the perpendicular point on the anal fin from the dorsal fin origin. Variation in the hydrodynamics of the rivers studied might be possibly affecting the fin kinematics and consequently leading to adaption seen as phenotypic variation in C. chitala. The results showcased in the present study shall help in better understanding of intra-specific diversity which is significant for management and conservation of a species.

Identification of Acrossocheilus fasciatus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Three Different Phylogeographic Sources using Morphology and COI DNA Barcoding

“…In the current study, morphometric analysis based on geometric morphometry was applied to populations. Geometric morphometric indicators can be a useful tool for measuring fish community diversity (Chandran et al, 2022). This is consistent with the findings of actual fish and gastropod assemblage structures (McClain et al, 2004;Lombarte et al, 2012).…”

Pattern and Dynamics of Genetic Stock of Freshwater Fishes Using Various Molecular Markers for Their Conservation Management Concerns in the Indian Riverine System

“…The "truss network technique" is a robust statistical analysis-based tool that is validated by landmarks and employed widely by numerous workers for species discrimination [7]. To generate the morphometric variables collected from digital photographs of specimens taken from the study areas, a truss network is constructed by linking the landmarks [8], with the help of these points, the individual fish body shape can be analyzed and PAST were the software platforms used in combination to extract the truss distances from the digital photos of the specimens [9,10]. Findings of multiple research indicate that the truss technique can be useful in resolving taxonomic uncertainty by measuring variations in shape.…”