Biometric analysis of white sardine Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847) from Goa coast, India

Abstract

The morphometry, length-weight relationship and condition factor of Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847) from Goa waters was studied from 758 specimens. Males ranged in size from 80 to 117 mm and weighed 4.16 to 14.96 g, while females were 77 to 115 mm and 3.75 to 15.03 g. Among the compared characters, coefficient of correlation r were highest for standard length against fork length (0.9879) and lowest against snout length (0.1799). Based on meristic counts, the fin formula for white sardine can be written as D13-17 P9-13 V7-7 A11-19 Pps12-19 Pops10-12. Length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0128L3.14 (r2 0.8677), W = 0.0140L3.10 (r2 0.9084) and W = 0.0134L3.12 (r2 0.8921) for males, females and combined sexes, respectively. A positive allometric growth (b>3) was observed for all samples. Condition factor was 1.31 for males, 1.43 for females and 1.37 for pooled samples, indicating that females are in better condition than males. Keywords: Allometric growth, Condition factor, Length-weight relationship, Meristic counts, Morphometry