Table 5.
Meristic characteristics of kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus), red spotted grouper (E. akaara) and sevenbanded grouper (E. septemfasciatus)*
| Meristic characterictics | E . bruneus | E. akaara | E. septemfasciatus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fin rays | ||||
| Dorsal | Spinous rays | 10.5±0.66a (IX~XII) | 10.3±0.17a (X~XI) | 11.2±0.53a (X~XII) |
| Soft rays | 13.5±0.21a (13~14) | 15.4±0.37b (15~16) | 14.8±0.54b (14~16) | |
| Anal | Spinous rays | 3.4±0.19b (III~IV) | 2.7±0.17a (II~III) | 2.4±0.12a (II~III) |
| Soft rays | 9.3±0.27b (9~10) | 7.1±0.36a (6~7) | 9.5±0.35b (9~10) | |
| Caudal | Soft rays | 1 6 .7 ±0.18b (16~17) | 15.2±0.51a (14~15) | 17.2±0.34b (16~18) |
| Pectoral | Soft rays | 1 6 .5 ±0.27a (16~17) | 17.3±0.43a (16~18) | 17.2±0.29a (16~18) |
| Ventral | Spinous rays | 1.6±0.27a (I~II) | 1.3±0.13a (I~II) | 2.4±0.12a (I~II) |
| Soft rays | 4.4±0.31a (4~5) | 5.3±0.41a (4~5) | 4.9±0.46a (4~5) | |
| Vertebrae | 24.7±0.27a (24~25) | 24.3±0.11a (24~25) | 24.5±0.35a (24~25) |
*
The values are means ± SD (n=150) of triplicate groups. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA on data transformed to the arcsine of the square root. Different capital letters on the values indicate statistical significance among meristic characteristics (P < 0.05). Refer to the Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Different small letters on ‘a’ means the smallest value, ‘b’ means larger than ‘a’ value and ‘c’ means the largest value among 3 species data.