Morphometric and meristic analysis of sympatric Barilius bendelisis and B. vagra inhabiting a mountain stream of Garhwal (Uttaranchal)

Abstract

The study of body  measurements and proportions brings out definite demarcation in the morphology of B. bendelisis
and B. vagra inhabiting a mountain stream of Garhwal region in Uttaranchal. The first and foremost difference occurs in
the total length. The former is, longer in size measuring 130 mm while the latter is usually <110 mm (107 mm) in present
sample. Hence, the length of maxillary barbel was slightly lesser than the rostral b,lrbei in both species. The meristic
countS for all the fins (dorsal fin, pectoral, anal and caudal) except pelvic differed in these fishes. The lateral line scale counts ditTered, being more in B.bendelisis (43-45) as compared With B. vagra. Body proportions of males and females did not differ significantly. Body proportions 80, LMB. DisPP and LCF differed significantly (P>0.05) while LRB was
not significant.