Dojo Loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor 1842): An Addition to the Loach Fauna of Pakistan
Dojo Loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor 1842): An Addition to the Loach Fauna of Pakistan
Zaigham Hasan1, Fazal Subhan2, Muhammad Faisal Khalil1,2, Qaisar Jamal1, Syed Basit Rasheed1*, Ajmal Khan1, Nauman Khan1, Irabor Arnold Ebuka4
ABSTRACT
Some fish were found in June 2013, buried at a depth of 4-5 inches in a sandy loam textured soil, having an average moisture content of 21% in the Botanical Garden of the University of Peshawar. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fish is classified within the genus Misgurnus. To confirm and further identification, a total of 77 specimens were collected. A batch of nine specimens was randomly selected. Thirty morphological characters along with meristic counts were recorded and studied against four different norms. Standard I consisting of ratios of various meristic parameters was 100% concurrent with our data, while for standard II, nine parameters were scrutinized and 77.77% of the result was falling in the expected array. Standard III was simply a correlation formula application. The value for “Y” was (-0.3) which rest in the array of Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). The fourth norm based on hematology was also almost exactly alike with diploid M. anguillicaudatus. In addition, the morphological appearance, presence of asterisks, microscopic dusky spots on body, low adipose crest, lateral upper bands, presence of lamina circularis, absence of mid-lateral stripe from eye to caudal base and the absence of a narrow stripe from the opercula to caudal fin or at least up to pelvic origin and meristic parameters confirmed the new reported species as diploid M. anguillicaudatus.
Novelty Statement | This is the first report of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus from Pakistan. The species was directly collected from moist soil rather than water. Current study also reports morphometric and meristic counts along with haematological parameters of M. anguillicaudatus from Pakistan.
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