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Title:	Biology and physiological studies of halfbeak fish Zenarchopterus buffonis (Valenciennes 1847) collected from the coastal waters of Malaysia
Authors:	Diana Atiqah Zainal Abidin (P62793)
Supervisor:	Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Fish flesh Protein Z. buffonis Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations
Issue Date:	21-Aug-2017
Description:	Zenarchopterus buffonis (Valenciennes 1847) traditionally have economic value as fish flesh is a source of highly nutritive protein consumed world-wide. However, the literature available regarding the bio-physiology of Z. buffonis is still scarce and less understood in Malaysia. Therefore it is important to document the detail biophysiology research on this less studied fish species. This study aims to document the population, growth pattern, condition, feeding biology, digestion physiology, fine structure of pharyngeal jaw apparatus and the reproductive biology of Z. buffonis. A total of 300 specimens of Z. buffonis from five different localities of Malaysian coastal waters (Tg. Belungkor, Johor; Sg. Likas, Sabah; Klang, Selangor; Matang, Perak; and Langkawi, Kedah) were analysed in terms of morphometric and meristic characters in order to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation on Malaysian coastal waters. In the present study, 85.3% morphometric traits, individuals were correctly classified into their respective cluster, indicating a very high differentiation between the populations of Z. buffonis in the studied areas. The important discriminant characters are length of upper jaw, length of lower jaw, length of dorsal fin base and length of pelvic fin base. The length-weight relationship at Sg. Likas (b=3.31) and Tg. Belungkor (b = 3.05) demonstrated positive allomteric growth (b > 3, p < 0.05),whereas Langkawi (b = 2.54), Klang (b = 2.20) and Matang (b = 2.90) suggesting negative allometric growth (b < 3, p < 0.05). The lowest mean Fulton's condition factor, K (0.2292 ± 0.06) and lowest mean relative condition factor, Kn (0.03 ± 0.2336) was recorded in Matang, while the highest mean value of K (0.6556 ± 0.05) was recorded in Tg. Belungkor. Stomach contents shows that insects and plant materials were the most abundant food items, and among insects the weaver ants,diving beetles and winged insects were the most represented taxa. The evaluated mean trophic value level was 2.1±0.79, indicating that they are omnivorous fish. The activity of four digestive enyzmes along the gut of Z. buffonis was investigated and α-amylase exhibits the highest enzymatic activity, followed by lipase and protease (trypsin and aminopeptidase). The level activity of α-amylase increased from proximal to distal intestine but dropped in rectum zone demonstrates its high consumptions of arthropods and plant materials that available in the environment. The fundamental anatomy of pharyngeal jaw apparatus observed under SEM displayed that the upper pharyngeal jaw (third pharyngobranchials) displays larger size of hook-like or tricuspid teeth suggesting herbivory natural feeding of Z buffonis. The lower pharyngeal jaw (fifth ceratobranchial) bears mainly conical teeth proposing carnivory diet. After mechanical disruption by the pharyngeal jaw apparatus, the food materials will undergo further enzymatic digestion in alimentary canal. The oocyte development within the ovary of Z. buffonis has been described as asynchronous spawners. The peak gonadosomatic index value for Z. buffonis was recorded in June and October. There are five stages of oocyte development were identified: perinucleolar, cortical alveoli, vitellogenesis, complete vitellogenesis and hydrated stages. The batch fecundity of Z. buffonis varied from 300 to 680 eggs with a mean of 432 ± 21 vitellogenic oocytes. The present work contributes the knowledge of biological and physiological studies of Z. buffonis for its sustainable management. This descriptive study of Z. buffonis suggests that future ecological and evolutionary analyses can improve understanding of adaptation and community dynamics of coastal fishes.,Certification of Master's/Doctoral Thesis" is not available
Pages:	204
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Science and Technology / Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi

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