Morphometric and Meristic Characterization of Common Carp, Cyprinus Carpio Strains Sourced from Jos, Bauchi and Ibadan, Nigeria

The study investigated the morphometric and meristic characterization of Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sourced from Jos Bauchi and Ibadan (Nigeria). In comparing the morphometric and meristic characters one hundred and eighty (180) adult Common carp, Cyprinus carpio were used. Twenty four (24) morphometric and six (6) meristic characters were studied. Measurements of the morphometric features were taken to the nearest centimeter by means of a measuring board, measuring rule, pair of dividers for the length, while the weight was taken by means of a weighing scale (salter scale) to the nearest gram. ANOVA, multivariate technique principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis were also applied to the transformed morphometric data to; classify the fish into one or several mutually exclusive groups. The Morphometric study indicated that seven parameters did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between Jos (male and female), and Bauchi (male and Female) strains. The parameters are the body depth, caudal fin length, pectoral fin height, standard weight, pre dorsal distance, eye diameter and body weight. In the meristic count, only the dorsal fin spine did not differ significantly (p >0.05) among the Jos, Bauchi, and Ibadan strains in all sexes. The study revealed that there was a genetic distance between male and female Carp sourced from Ibadan and that of Jos and Bauchi, where as male and female Carp from Jos and Bauchi showed genetic closeness.