Condition Factor and HSI as Indicators of Condition of Plotosus lineatus in the Philippines
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
The striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus, is a benthic marine fish prevalent in tropical reef ecosystems that feeds on bottom-dwelling organisms, making the striped eel catfish particularly susceptible to pollutants in its environment. The current study searches for a correlation between the overall condition of P. lineatus and pollutant trends in the Philippines where both marine biodiversity and pollution are high. Length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (CF) were calculated for a total of 120 individuals from three different sites in the Philippines to determine the growth patterns at each locality. The hepatosomatic index (HSI), was then calculated and used in combination with LWR and CF to estimate the overall condition of specimens at any given length. LWR and CF results illustrate negative allometric growth and lower HSI values for specimens from two localities, suggesting these populations may be in worse condition than the other site that showed stable isometric growth and larger HSI values. This data could potentially help in determining overall ecosystem health in the Philippines, as this research highlights the potential utility of P. lineatus condition as an indicator on the effects of pollution in the environment and how sites can be conserved accordingly.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Kent Carpenter
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Marine Biology
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons, Atrium
Start Date
2-8-2020 8:00 AM
End Date
2-8-2020 12:30 PM
Condition Factor and HSI as Indicators of Condition of Plotosus lineatus in the Philippines
Learning Commons, Atrium
The striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus, is a benthic marine fish prevalent in tropical reef ecosystems that feeds on bottom-dwelling organisms, making the striped eel catfish particularly susceptible to pollutants in its environment. The current study searches for a correlation between the overall condition of P. lineatus and pollutant trends in the Philippines where both marine biodiversity and pollution are high. Length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (CF) were calculated for a total of 120 individuals from three different sites in the Philippines to determine the growth patterns at each locality. The hepatosomatic index (HSI), was then calculated and used in combination with LWR and CF to estimate the overall condition of specimens at any given length. LWR and CF results illustrate negative allometric growth and lower HSI values for specimens from two localities, suggesting these populations may be in worse condition than the other site that showed stable isometric growth and larger HSI values. This data could potentially help in determining overall ecosystem health in the Philippines, as this research highlights the potential utility of P. lineatus condition as an indicator on the effects of pollution in the environment and how sites can be conserved accordingly.