Truss morphometry in the Asian seabass - Lates calcarifer

Abstract

Truss network analysis was carried out using data of the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer sampled from five different locations along the Indian'coast, in an effort to examine the stock differences based on juveniles1 pre-adults. Principal Components Analysis was carried out on the multivariate morphometric data. Shearing was done in order to obtain a size-free shape component. It was observed that the first factor loadings were positive and nearly of the same magnitude indicating that PC I is a measure of size. A few truss measurements contributed to the shape differences among the stocks. As far as the shape differences are concerned, the Kakdwip stock was different from the rest of the stocks. A similar trend was discernible in the Chennai stock. However, there were no shape differences among the Chilka, Kakinada and Goa stocks