A Study on the Meristic and Morphometric Characteristics of Thailand Strain and GIFT Strain of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Thirteen biometric characters were used to differentiate and compare the Thailand-strain and the GIFT-strain of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Meristic and morphometric data from 30 samples for each strain were subjected to descriptive and statistical analysis. The study showed that there are no significant differences in all meristic characters (number of dorsal fin rays, number of pectoral fin rays, number of pelvic fin rays, and number or anal fin rays) as well as the horizontal eye diameter between the Thailand-strain and GIFT-strain of 0. niloticus. Generally, the GIFT-strain of 0. niloticus has greater values for the other morphometric characters (head length, preorbital distance, postorbital distance, orbital depth or the head, occipital depth of the head, total body length, standard length, and total body weight) compared to the Thailand-strain 0. niloticus