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Species Identification and Morphological Characteristic of Croakers from
Bintulu, Sarawak
Leong Kai Wen
Supervisor: Dr. Seah Ying Giat
Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries)
School of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences
This study aims to distinguish and differentiate the croaker species from Bintulu,
Sarawak based on its morphometric and meristic characteristics. Fifteen (15) species
of croakers were caught in this sampling. Species identification were based on reliable
journals and references. All the 28 morphometric measurements and meristic counts
were recorded; and comparisons were done to show the difference between the
species. All species were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and
results showed that body depth (PC3, 0.440) and maxillary length (PC4, 0.521) were
the good parameter to differ the 15 species. However, there were slightly overlapped
among the group of (1) Johnius carouna, Johnius heterolepis and Johnius
macrorhynus; and (2) Panna microdon and Otolithes ruber. But these two group
members were easily to differentiate through external morphology. Nevertheless,
further PCA analysis only focusing on these group members, both suggested the snout
to first anal fin ray length and prepectoral length were significant to separate them.
590 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018