Indian Journal of Animal Research

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Full Research Article

Exploring the Length-weight Relationship, Relative Condition Factor and Sexual Dimorphism of Crimson Jobfish (Pristipomoides filamentosus) Landed along the Southern Coast of India

M. Manoj Kumar1,2, B. Santhosh1,*, S. Surya1, F. Muhammed Anzeer1, Shoji Joseph3
1Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram-695 521, Kerala, India.
2Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581, Kerala, India.
3ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Kerala, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: The study investigated the Length-weight relationship (LWR), relative condition factor (Kn) and sexual dimorphism in Pristipomoides filamentosus, a deep-water snapper of economic importance in the tropical Indo-Pacific region.

Methods: A total of 891 fish (476 females and 415 males) were collected from the Vizhinjam fish landing centre at the southern tip of Kerala, India and analyzed from October 2022 to March 2023. The cube law and student’s t-test were applied to calculate LWR and used to check if there was any significant deviation from the cubic relationship of both female and male P. filamentosus. Month-wise and Length class-wise, mean Kn was calculated to check the health conditions of both female and male P. filamentosus. Body colouration, fin pigmentation and external characteristics of genital papillae and urogenital regions are used to explore the sexual dimorphic characteristics of P. filamentosus.

Result: Growth was negatively allometric and the coefficient of determination (R2) for female, male and pooled sexes were 0.966, 0.976 and 0.970, respectively. The relative condition factor (Kn) was highest for females (1.20±0.02) in November and for males (1.17±0.02) in October. Additionally, fish with fork lengths (FL) between 49.5-54.5 cm exhibited the highest Kn values for females (1.31±0.04), while those with FL ranging from 54.5-59.5 cm showed peak Kn values for males (1.21±0.05). The average Kn value for P. filamentosus was approximately one, indicating that the fish were generally in good condition. Sexual dimorphism is more evident in mature P. filamentosus shows characteristic changes in females and males, including body and fin colouration (dichromatism) and external characteristics of the urogenital region and genital papillae. This study provides baseline information and reference points for effectively managing and conserving P. filamentosus.

INTRODUCTION

The family Lutjanidae comprises 17 genera and 105 species and is primarily found in tropical and subtropical seas, with only a few exceptions from estuaries (Allen, 1985; Anderson, 2003; Fricke et al., 2024). Lutjanids form an important component in the commercial fishery of the Indian region. Wilson et al., (2019) reported the landing of 15 species of snapper along the Kerala coast and Nair et al., (2014) made a consolidated document containing reports of 49 species of snapper from Indian waters. The crimson jobfish (Pristipomoides filamentosus) formed one of the dominant species of snappers that landed along the Kerala coast (Wilson et al., 2019). According to Grimes (1987), P. filamentosus is a long-living species (up to 44 years), a gonochoristic batch spawner and shows secondary sexual characteristics. P. filamentosus is generally reported from rocky bottoms up to a depth of 360 meters (McAllister et al., 1992) and attain a maximum length of 100 cm (Anderson, 1986) and a weight of 9 kg (Manooch, 1987; Randall, 2007). P. filamentosus is a highly preferred fish because of its high-quality white meat (Martinez-andrade, 2003). It contributes significantly to the commercial catch on the southern coast of Kerala, where it is commonly referred to as “Chey-meen” in the vernacular language, Malayalam.

Length-Weight Relationship (LWR) offers valuable insights into the environmental factors that may influence fish growth and development (Tagarao et al., 2020). The study of LWR is essential in fish’s biology, physiology and ecology (Blackwell et al., 2000; Santos et al., 2002; Shingadia, 2014; Baek et al., 2015; Saygin et al., 2016). Several studies on LWR from Indian coastal waters have focused on reef-associated commercially important fish species (Rangarajan, 1973; Oommen, 1976; Premalatha, 1989; Hamsa et al., 1994; Abdurahiman et al., 2004; Ramachandran et al., 2013; Pradeep, 2018; Wilson et al., 2019; Velamala et al., 2020; Nair et al., 2021). Few reports are available on relative condition factors (Kn) of lutjanids from various coastal waters (Masood and Farooq, 2010; Ramachandran et al., 2013; Fakoya et al., 2019; Rahman et al., 2023; Rodriguez et al., 2023). LWR and Kn are the key components of fisheries assessments because they provide information on fish growth, health and fitness in a habitat (Jisr et al., 2018; Dinh et al., 2022).

Sexual dimorphism, as described by Saurabh et al., (2013), refers to the systematic differences in form or colouration between males and females of the same species, aiding in sex determination. These differences can include features like brighter colours in males, larger body sizes in females, or the presence of specialized structures such as fin shapes or markings. Histological analysis of gonads is generally considered the most reliable method for sex determination and maturity phases of gonads (Longenecker et al., 2022). Several studies were conducted on sexual dimorphic characters in lutjanid species (Grimes, 1987; Everson et al., 1989; Martinez-andrade, 2003; Newman and Dunk, 2003; Luers et al., 2017; Nichols et al., 2022). Some fishes exhibit secondary sexual characteristics only during the spawning season, while others throughout their lives. It helps to identify the sex of the fish without any dissection, which is crucial for breeding programs, population studies and understanding reproductive behaviour. Fishes of both sexes generally differ externally in size, shape, colouration, genital papillae, fin texture and head shape (Saurabh et al., 2013; Sharma and Singh, 2024). Determining sex using the urogenital region is more effective in P. filamentosus and further research is needed to determine whether genital papillae are sexually dimorphic (Luers et al., 2017). The present study aims to provide information regarding the length-weight relationship, relative condition factor and sexual dimorphism of P. filamentosus collected from the southern coast of India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Locale of the study
 
Samples of P. filamentosus were collected monthly from hook and line landings of Vizhinjam fishing harbour (8°22′42.3″N and 76°59′27.9″E) located at the southern end of Kerala, India (Fig 1). The fish were mostly caught from off Vizhinjam coast (up to 30-40 nautical miles from the shore) and the study was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023. The specimens were then placed in insulated ice boxes and transported to the laboratory of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at the Vizhinjam Regional Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, for further analysis.

Fig 1: Sampling site of P. filamentosus along the southern coast of India.


 
Length-weight relationship (LWR)
 
Fork length was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a metal scale and body weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 g using electronic weighing balance (ATLCasio, India). The cube law (W = aLb), proposed by Le Cren (1951) and Pauly (1983), was applied to calculate the LWR for males, females and pooled sexes. The logarithmic equation was used:
 
 Log W = Log a + b Log L
 
Where,
W = Body weight of the fish.
L = Fork length.
a and b = Intercept and slope of the regression line, respectively.

The slope (b), intercept (a) and coefficient of determination (R²) were calculated to determine the interdependence of these variables. A statistical test criterion of student’s t-test was employed to check the isometric relationship of P. filamentosus (Zar, 1999).
 
Relative condition factor (Kn)
 
The month-wise and length class-wise mean relative condition factors for females and males of P. filamentosus were calculated following the equation proposed by Le Cren (1951).
 
Kn = W/aLn
 
Where,
W = Actual weight of the fish in grams (g).
aLn = Calculated weight obtained from the LWR.
 
Sexual dimorphism
 
Fishes were observed to identify the sexes before dissection based on variations in body colouration, fin pigmentation and external characteristics of the urogenital region and genital papillae (Nichols et al., 2022). External sexing methods proposed by Smith et al., (2014) and Luers et al., (2017) were used here to examine the urogenital region and papillae and to determine the sex of each fish. After recording the morphological details, the sexes were confirmed by dissection and microscopical examination of the gonads.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Length-weight relationship
 
A total of 891 fish (n = 476 (F) and 415 (M)) were examined for the Length-Weight Relationship (LWR). For females, the length ranged from 19.5 cm to 75.1 cm and weight ranged from 103.5 g to 4276.0 g. Similarly, the length of males ranged from 19.7 cm to 76.5 cm and weight from 130.1 g to 4346.1 g. Linearizing the two variables (Length and Weight) by taking their logarithmic values and then regressing them gave the linear expressions of LWR for males and females (Table 1). LWR parameters of P. filamentosus resulted in the intercept ‘a’ value for female, male and pooled sexes as 0.051, 0.057 and 0.053, respectively. The slope ‘b’ value is slightly higher in females (2.651) than males (2.638). The logarithmic relationship of length and weight for females, males and pooled sexes is represented in scatterplots (Fig 2 a, b and c). R2 values of female, male and pooled sexes were observed as 0.966, 0.976 and 0.970, respectively. The regression coefficient ‘b’ is less than 3, indicating a negative allometric growth for males, females and pooled sexes of P. filamentosus. The allometric growth of P. filamentosus was statistically proved by a statistical test of hypothesis, with a null hypothesis H0: b= 3 against the alternate hypothesis H1: b≠3. The results showed that there was a significant deviation from the cubic relationship of length and weight in both males and females (females, t(476) = (-15.25), p<0.05 and males, t(415) = (-17.90), p<0.05). Given that the p-value was less than the significance level, we reject the null hypothesis of the isometric relationship and accept the allometric growth of P. filamentosus.

Table 1: Length-weight relationship of P. filamentosus from the southern coast of India.



Fig 2: Scatter diagram showing LWR of (a) female (b) male and (c) pooled sexes samples of P. filamentosus.



LWR shows isometric, negative allometric or positive allometric growth pattern in fishes (Kop et al., 2019). LWR is a major parameter that provides valuable information regarding the conditions of fish stock in a region (Rao et al., 2024). The coefficient of correlation (R2) determines the strength and reliability of the length-weight relationship (LWR). A high R2 value (close to 1) indicates a strong relationship between length and weight, suggesting accurate predictions, whereas a low R2 value suggests variability due to environmental or biological factors (Froese, 2006). Kamikawa et al., (2015) reported the ‘a’ value for six Pristipomoides sp. ranged from 0.018 to 0.135, the ‘b’ values ranged from 2.91 to 3.11 and the coefficient of determination ‘R2’ ranged from 0.96 to 0.99, which aligns with the findings of the present study. Similarly, Wilson et al., (2019) recorded ‘b’ values for P. filamentosus males (2.783), females (3.0134) and the pooled sexes (2.903), indicating an isometric growth pattern for females and a negative allometric growth pattern for males and the pooled sexes. Velamala et al., (2020), reported a negative allometric growth pattern in P. typus (2.993) and P. multidens (2.644). In a recent investigation by Nair et al., (2021), the ‘b’ values for P. filamentosus indicated isometric growth patterns (b=3) for all three categories (male, female and pooled sexes). LWR was not consistent throughout the year and can vary significantly due to different factors such as health, sex and food availability (Bagenal and Tesch, 1978; Froese, 2006).
 
Relative condition factor
 
The month-wise and length class-wise mean relative condition factors for females (n= 476) and males (n=415) of P. filamentosus were calculated. The Kn value for females varied during the study period from 0.96 to 1.20, with a mean value of 1.05. The peak value was observed in November (1.20±0.02), followed by October (1.13±0.01) and December (1.03±0.02), indicating healthy fish. Kn value was <1 in females during January (0.96±0.02), February (0.98±0.01) and March (0.97±0.02. The Kn value for males varied across the different months studied, ranging from 0.92 to 1.17, with an average of 1.02. The peak values were observed in October (1.17±0.02), followed by November (1.14±0.02) and December (1.04±0.01), indicating the healthy condition of the males during these months. The lowest Kn value for males was observed in February (0.92±0.01) (Fig 3a). Fakoya et al., (2019) reported that the Kn value of the Gorean snapper, Lutjanus goreensis, in the coastal zones of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, ranged from 0.80 to 1.07, with a mean value of 1.01 for males and from 0.96 to 1.11, with a mean value of 1.02 for females. In the current study, the Kn value for females ranged from 0.90 to 1.30, with a mean value of 1.03, while for males, it ranged from 0.85 to 1.21, with a mean value of 1.01. The length class-wise variation in Kn value for both females and males showed two peaks (0.90±0.02 and 0.85±0.04) within the length range of 74.5-79.5 cm, FL. The highest Kn value was observed in both sexes: 1.31±0.04 in 49.5–54.5 cm, FL for females and 1.21±0.05 in 54.5–59.5 cm, FL for males (Fig 3 b).

Fig 3: (a) Month-wise (b) Length class-wise variation in Kn values of P. filamentosus.



Masood and Farooq (2010) reported a Kn value close to one for four species of Lutjanids- Lutjanus johnii, L. lutjanus, L. malabaricus and L. fulvus-collected from the Karachi fishing harbour, Pakistan. Similarly, Rahman et al., (2023) observed a Kn value equal to or close to one for the length-wise relative condition factors of three coral-associated Lutjanids, including L. johnii, L. quinquelineatus and L. xanthopinnis, collected from the Terengganu waters of the South China Sea, Malaysia. Rodriguez et al., (2023) also reported a length class-wise mean Kn value of one for L. synagris from the Colombian Caribbean Sea. The results of the present study suggest that favorable conditions exist in the southern coast of Kerala, India, for filamentosus. In this study, relatively higher Kn values for both sexes from October to December indicate gonadal maturation during this period. Condition factors can be influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors, including food availability, water quality, age, size, sex and gonad development (Somy, 2014; Narasimhaiah et al., 2021).
 
Sexual dimorphism
 
A total of 301 immature fish (Females- n = 167, Males- n = 134) and 293 mature fish (Females- n = 172, Males- n = 121) were selected for the analysis of sexual dimorphism and confirmation based on gonadal observation. Fish with a fork length (FL) ) ≥ 32.4 cm for females and FL ) ≥ 32.1 cm for males were classified as mature. P. filamentosus exhibited sexual dimorphic characteristics, including distinct changes in body colouration and variations in pigmentation on the pelvic, anal and pectoral fins and modifications of urogenital regions (Table 2). According to Smith et al., (2014) simplified methodologies for recognizing sexual dimorphism lacking in many marine fishes including deep-water snappers. In the present study, juveniles and subadults of P. filamentosus do not exhibit any sexual dimorphic characteristics. However, sexual dimorphic characteristics become evident in larger () ≥ 30.0 cm, FL) and mature fish. Both sexes of juvenile P. filamentosus were pale lavender, which gradually became silvery towards the ventral side. Kami (1973) agreed with our observation that juveniles and subadults of P. filamentosus do not exhibit colour variations; these variations become evident only in large adults. Kami (1973) also confirmed the reliability of colour variations among males and females in sex determination in P. filamentosus and P. auricilla but did not report the details of these variations.

Table 2: Sexual dimorphic characters observed in mature female and male P. filamentous.



Both the genital septum and genital papillae were more pronounced at maturity. Gross visual observation of the urogenital region has been proposed as an accurate method to determine the sex of P. filamentosus (Luers et al., 2017). The female Etelis carbunculus has an enlarged, crescent-shaped genital pore and the septum tissue, which divides the two pore openings, resembles papillae. In contrast, the male fish lack a distinct papilla (Nichols et al., 2022). The variations observed in body and fin colouration and characteristics of urogenital regions of both sexes were confirmed by dissecting the male and female gonads Fig 5 (e) and Fig 5 (f) and correlating the observed features. Kami (1973) reported traces of yellow colour in the ventral lobe of caudal fin in females and a distinct yellow blotch in the ventral lobe of the caudal fin of large males (>27.0 cm, FL) of P. auricilla from Guam. Sexual dimorphism is evident in urogenital modifications in deep water snappers (P. zonatus, P. seboldii, Aphareus rutilans and E. coruscans) from Hawaii (Nichols, 2019), similar to that reported in the present study in P. filamentosus. Sexual size dimorphism has reported in deep water red snapper (E. carbunculus), in which female is 20% longer than males (Williams et al., 2017). Similarly, males are larger than females of same age group in humpback red snapper (L. gibbus) (Nanami, 2010; Taylor et al., 2018; Moore, 2019) and Maori snapper (L. rivulatus) from north-eastern Australia (Wakefield et al., 2020). 

Fig 4: Photographs of texture of body colouration for (a) female and (b) male; texture of pelvic fin for (c) female and (d) male; texture of anal fin for (e) female and (f) male of P. filamentosus.



Fig 5: Photographs showing the texture of pectoral fin for (a) female and male; ventral view of urogenital region for (b) female and male; Stereoscopic view of urogenital region (c) female and (d) male of P. filamentosus; In situ observation of gonads with urogenital region for (e) female and (f) male.



Along with characteristics such as body pigmentation, fin shape and genital papillae, sexual dimorphism constitutes a significant component of external morphological variation between the sexes (Andersson, 1994). Hedrick and Temeles (1989) identified three major adaptive mechanisms that encourage sexual dimorphism in fish: sexual selection, dimorphic niche and food competition. In a food fish breeding program, sexual dimorphic features of fish play a significant role in selecting good specimens of brood fish, which will yield good numbers of healthy eggs.

CONCLUSION

LWR, Kn and sexual dimorphism of P. filamentosus reported here is the first report from India. The estimated LWR showed a negative allometric growth pattern for females, males and pooled sexes in the present study. P. filamentosus exhibits lower Kn values from January to March and also in both the sexes’ lower and higher length classes. Mature P. filamentosus displays sexual dimorphism, with differences in body colour patterns, fin texture, urogenital region and genital papillae between male and female fish. Sexual dimorphism is more evident in the breeding season and may have a role in sexual and natural selection. If sexual dimorphism is evident, it allows the market samplers to stratify their collection of length data by sex effectively and also to estimate the sex ratio in catches more effectively. In the food fish breeding program, the sexual dimorphic features of fish play a significant role in the selection of brood stocks for cannulation, induction and breeding. Since lutjanids are preferred for farming worldwide, this information will be helpful for broodstock development and breeding programmes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors acknowledge Dr Grinson George, Director and Dr A. Gopalakrishnan, Former Director ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi, for the facilities provided. We sincerely thank Dr Suresh,  V.V.R., Head of the Mariculture Division, ICAR-CMFRI. The authors thank all the staff and research scholars of Vizhinjam Regional Center of ICAR-CMFRI for their support and assistance. The first author acknowledges the University of Kerala for the research fellowship.
 
Author’s contribution
 
Manoj Kumar Mohanan Pillai contributed to data collection, statistical analysis and writing of the original draft; B. Santhosh to research design, supervision, manuscript review and editing; S. Surya to statistical analysis, manuscript review and editing; F. Muhammed Anzeer and Shoji Joseph manuscript review and editing.
 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.

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