The Meristic and Morphometric Characteristics of two Philippine Species of Galunggong Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier, 1833) and D. kurroides (Bleeker, 1855)

Abstract

Fifteen biometric characters were used to differentiate and compare the mackerel scad Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier, 1833) and the redtail scad D. kurroides (Bleeker, 1855). Meristic and morphometric data from 60 samples for each species were subjected to descriptive and statistical analysis^sing z-test. The study showed that there are no significant differences in three meristic characters (number of 1st dorsal fin rays, number of pectoral fin rays, and number of pelvic fin rays) as well as in two morphometric characters (preorbital distance and body depth) between D. macarellus and D. kurroides. Generally, D. macarellus exhibited greater values in all meristic characters compared to D. kurroides. However, D. macarellus has lesser values in four morphometric characters (head length, preorbital distance, post-orbital distance, and body depth) as compared to D. kurroides.