Geremew, Akewake (2007) Taxonomic Revision, Relative Abundance, and Aspects of the Biology of some Species of the Genus Garra, Hamilton 1922 (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Taxonomic revision, relative abundance, reproductive biology, length-weight relation, condition factor and aspects of feeding of Lake Tana Garra species were studied from 2187 fish collected during January to December, 2006. Morphological, morphometric and meristic characters were used to revise the taxonomy of the three already described species (G. tana, G. dembecha and G. regressus) and one different form of Garra (small mouth, sm). Cluster and principal component analyses using 23 external and 14 skull bone morphometric measurements revealed that G. tana and G. regressus are separate dissimilar species from others. G. dembecha and G. sm showed some similarities, though the few meristic and morphological features were important to differentiate them. The % IRI (Index of Relative Importance) indicated that G. tana is abundant in the pelagic sites whereas G. sm is abundant in the littoral, and sub littoral sites having the rest of Garra species less abundant. Gonado-somatic index (GSI) and % frequency of ripe females were used to determine main breeding season. The main breeding time of G. regressus (April-October), G. tana (March-July) and G. dembecha (May-July) was coincident with the rainy season of the area. G. sm was found to breed intensively during the dry season (November-March). G. tana is capable of breeding throughout the year, whereas G. dembecha breeds only for three months. Extended breeding times were observed in G. sm and G. regressus. Significant differences were observed between the species for both sexes in the mean size at maturity, except for G. sm and G. dembecha. Absolute fecundity was found to be related curvilinearly with standard length and linearly with body and gonad weight for G. sm, G. regressus and G. tana. The range of absolute fecundity was (538.9-2968), (606-3397), (1215-1229) and (580.8-1800) for G. tana, G. sm, G. dembecha and G. regressus, respectively. The average relative fecundity was 63.3, 77.1, 102.7, and 55.5 for G. dembecha, G. sm, G. tana and G. regressus, respectively. Both relative and absolute fecundity were statistically different (P< 0.001) between the species. Egg size frequency distribution revealed that G. regressus was found to be multiple spawner, while G. dembecha; G. tana and G. sm were single spawners. Except for G. dembecha and G. regressus (Chi-square, P< 0.05), the sex ratio in the total catch was not different from 1:1 for the other two species. The relationship between standard length and total weight was curvilinear for all the species, and isometric growth was assumed for all. A significant seasonal fluctuation (P< 0.0001) was observed in the condition of all Garra species. The better condition of these fishes during late dry and pre-rainy seasons was attributed to the increase in temperature and availability of food. Microscopic examination of gut contents of G. sm, G. tana and G. dembecha indicated that green, blue-green, diatoms and zooplanktons that are detrital in their origin were dominant.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Condition factor, Food items, Garra, Lake Tana, Length-weight relation, Relative abundance, Reproductive biology, and Taxonomic revision. |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Jun 2018 09:12 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Jun 2018 09:12 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4558 |
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