Morphometric, Meristic and Stomach Content Analyses of Selected Finfish and Shellfish Species in Brunei Darussalam
Keywords:
Meristic, morphology, morphometric, marine and brackish water, stomach contentAbstract
Brunei Darussalam’s location in the Coral Triangle highlights the need for taxonomic baselines to support sustainable fisheries. This study includes baseline morphological, meristic and morphometric data for eight key finfish (Siganus javus, Lutjanus johnii, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lates calcarifer, Epinephelus coioides, Toxotes jaculatrix, Caranx ignobilis and Oxyeleotris marmorata) and five shellfish species (Scylla olicacea, Scylla paramamosain, Mierspenaeopsis sculptilis, Magallana nippona and Penaeus vannamei) were found in Brunei's marine and brackish waters. Limited diet analysis done through Index of Preponderance (I), revealed crustacean dominance in predatory Lutjanus species. Obstacles were encountered in the fish specimen due to rapid digestion, regurgitation, low feeding occurrence prior to capture and complex digestive tract in shellfish. These validate the taxonomic differences of the fish specimens while providing ecological insights. The findings provide baselines for regional monitoring for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
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