| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 7-12 |
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On the systematics and reproductive compatibility in Clariidae based on Osteological and morphometric parameters
C. I. P. Anibeze
Department of Anatomy College of Medicine, Bio-Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
C. I. P. Anibeze
Department of Anatomy College of Medicine, Bio-Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2315-7992.143399
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Introduction: Member of clariidae are the most cheered foodfish in Africa. This paper presents information on the systematic and the reproductive compatibilities in claridae which appear not to be homologous with the clariid phylogenetic deudogram. Material and Methods: Morphometric and meristic courts were done on the selected species using standard procedures. The species examined were Hetrobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes 1840), Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), Clarias ebriensis (Pellegrin 1920) and Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus 1758). Results: Results of osteological and morphometric analyses presented two members of Clarias genus (C.gariepinus and C.anguillaris) and a member of another genus (H. longifilis) to be closer in structural affinity than C. ebriensis despite the fact that C. ebriensis belong to the genus Clarias. These observed morphometric result support the basis for the earlier reported reproductive compatibility between H. longifilis and the large Clarias species (C.gariepinus and C.anguillaris). Discussion: The published karyological analysis of these species supports this view. These results therefore show a basal dichotomy between the two outgroups of one genus which is not related to their phyloyenetic origin. Similarity members of the large clarias have successfully been reported to undergo hybridization leading to the production of "Heteroclarias" and "Clariabranchus", a situation probably suggestive of convergent evolution of the clariids at the genus level. Conclusion: It could safely be hypothesized that ecological adaptations of reproductive structures in H. longifilis and the large Clarias which is not related to their phylogenetic origin have given rise to this reproductive compatibility. |
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