Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Ecology
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Peyton Watkins - Howard University
The arborescent organ of the Clarias gariepinus, also known as the African catfish, is thought to be link to longer periods of survival out of water. In this study, the relationship between the size of the arborescent organ of African catfish and the length of survival period out of water was examined. The purpose of this study is to provide a deeper knowledge about the respiratory anatomy of this species and to provide information for people handling Clarias gariepinus for agricultural purposes. Catfish samples varying in size and weight were observed until death; samples were dissected and arborescent organs were removed. Data were collected by measuring Standard length, Total length, Body weight, weight of the arborescent organ, and volume of the arborescent organ (displacement method). The data were analyzed using regression analysis and correlation analysis. The major finding from this study was that the volume of the arborescent organ (r= 0.2753), total length of the fish (r= 0.4184), and body weight (r= 0.527) were the major influencers on the period of survival out of water. This study shows that the total length and body weight are important factors in the size of the arborescent organs. Between the weight and length, weight had a larger effect on the size of the arborescent organ. This is a result of weight being a better indication of a fish maturity rather than length. There was a moderately strong association between the volume of the arborescent organ and the survival period out of water, as a result of an increase in the amount of oxygen able to fill the respiratory organ. Acknowledgements: Funding for this research was provided by the NSF HBCU-UP award number 1238466
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Funding for this research was provided by the NSF HBCU-UP award number 1238466
Faculty Advisor: Sharon Evans, sharon.evans@howard.edu
Role: I completed all aspects of the research described in the submitted abstract.