VARIATIONS IN TAXONOMIC METRIC CHARACTERS OF Periophthalmus chrysospilos DISTRIBUTING FORM TRA VINH TO CA MAU

Abstract

This study provided the influence of some factors on the taxonomic metric characters of Periophthalmus chrysospilos, a common fish species distributed in the Mekong Delta’s mudflat coastal regions. A total of 480 fish samples (260 males and 220 females) were collected in four coastal areas: Duyen Hai (Tra Vinh), Tran De (Soc Trang), Dong Hai (Bac Lieu), and Dam Doi (Ca Mau) from April to July 2022. Because fish move very quickly during the day, fish samples were collected directly in the evening in the area by hand-catching. The data analysis results showed that these parameters were higher in female fish than in male fish (p<0.05), except that the maximum body height did not change (t=1.94; p=0.05). All metric characters of this species were observed to be higher values ​​than in the mature group (p<0.05). Favorable conditions in the wet season might be the cause of the increase in these metric values ​​in the wet season compared to the dry season (p<0.05). However, D1D and D1L were not seasonally affected. This fish species was observed to be well adapted to the environment in Tra Vinh and Ca Mau due to its significantly higher metric value than in the other two areas (p<0.05). The results provide additional information that can be used for this fish's taxonomy and ecological adaptation in the ecosystem...