Original scientific paper
LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF THE GANGETIC AILIA, Ailia coila (HAMILTON, 1822) IN THE TETULIA RIVER, SOUTHERN BANGLADESH
2023, 81 (3) p. 0-0
Newton Saha, Prosun Roy, Tanmoy Utsha, Sudipta Nag, Gitartha Kaushik, Md. Yeamin Hossain
Abstract
The near threatened Ailia coila, commonly referred to as the Gangetic ailia, is a catfish species in the Ailiidae family that is indigenous to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and India. This study describes the comprehensive explanation on life-history traits of the Ailia coila, including length-frequency distribution (LFDs), growth pattern (length-weight relationships, LWRs and length-length relationships, LLRs), form factor (a3.0), condition factors (allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; relative, KR and relative weight, WR), size at first sexual maturity (Lm), optimum catchable length (Lopt) and natural mortality (Mw) from the Tetulia River in southern Bangladesh. Additionally, we also calculate the Lα, a3.0, Lm, Mw and Lopt from world-wide various waterbodies using the existing literature. Total 316 samples were randomly collected occasionally using traditional gears for a year from July 2021 to June 2022. With an accuracy of 0.01 cm and 0.01 g, each individual fish's total length (TL), standard length (SL), and body weight (BW) were all measured. The 10.00 to 10.99 cm TL was numerically leading group and the b values of LWRs indicate positive allometric growth. The a3.0 was 0.005 and KF is the best for assessing well-being of A. coila. Additionally, WR indicates that the habitat was imbalanced with higher predators. The calculated Lm, Lopt and Mw were 9.19 (~ 9.2 cm TL), 10.7 cm TL and 1.37 year-1 for A. coila in the Tetulia River, respectively. These insights will be vital for future research and recommending suitable management strategies for A. coila in the Tetulia River and neighboring basins.
Keywords
Growth pattern, Population biology, Natural mortality, Sexual maturity