Integrative morphometric analysis of Ompok pabo: conventional and truss approaches to support conservation of a critically endangered species in Bangladesh
Morphometric analysis of Ompok pabo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20786750Keywords:
Morphometric, Ompok pabo, Truss morphometry, Endangered species, BangladeshAbstract
Small indigenous fish species are steadily declining in the rivers and oxbow lakes of Bangladesh. The abundance of Ompok pabo has been alarmingly reduced and is recognized as a critically endangered fish species in Bangladesh. The present study has been undertaken to determine the external phenotypic variations of O. pabo among the four populations, e.g., the Kopotakkho River, Madhumati River, Atrai River, and Bukvora oxbow lake (Baor). A total of 246 fish samples were collected during the monsoon season. A total of 11 conventional and 20 truss morphometric characters were used to assess their phenotypic variations. The univariate ANOVA, discriminant function analysis (DFA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted. We observed significant differences (P <0.05) in 4 out of the 11 conventional and 14 out of the 20 truss morphometric characters across the four populations. In case of both morphometric and truss measurements, the first, second, and third discriminant function (DF) accounted for 77.02, 14.70, and 8.28% respectively in group variability, explaining 100% of the total group variability. A UPGMA dendrogram showed two separate clusters where the Atrai River solely formed a single cluster and the Kopotakkho River and Bukvora Baor combinedly formed another cluster. Additionally, the Madhumati River population formed a sub-cluster with Kopotakkho River. These observed phenotypical variations are most likely a result of unique ancestry. However, the observed phenotypic differentiation was not validated through experimental or molecular approaches, necessitating further investigation. The findings of the present study may provide baseline information for further marker-based population structure analysis and contribute to conservation programs.
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