African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Mathematical analysis of morphological traits and their effects on body weight in the red crab (Charybdis feriata)

Xiong Zou
  • Xiong Zou
  • East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
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Hongyu Ma
  • Hongyu Ma
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China.
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Jianxue Lu
  • Jianxue Lu
  • East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
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Yangyang Gong
  • Yangyang Gong
  • East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
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Lianjun Xia
  • Lianjun Xia
  • East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
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  •  Received: 29 March 2016
  •  Accepted: 14 December 2016
  •  Published: 09 February 2017

Abstract

The red crab (Charybdis feriata) is one of most important fishery resource in China. In the present study, 17 morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata were first measured and 18 traits were characterized, and then, the effects of morphological traits on body weight were estimated by statistical methods including correlation coefficients, determination coefficients, path coefficients and regression equations. All correlation coefficients between each morphological trait and body weight reached an extremely significant level (P<0.01). Determination and path coefficients analysis revealed the real correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Significant path coefficients were found between three morphological traits (stemum width, X8; meropodite length of pereopod 3, X16; meropodite length of pereopod 4, X17) and body weight, suggesting these three traits were the key factors directly influencing body weight. Multiple correlation index (R2) between the above three morphological traits and body weight was of 0.977, which indicated that the main independent variables influencing body weight had been found. Finally, a best-fit linear regression equation was established as Y = 13.078 X8 + 7.048 X16 - 4.902 X17 - 576.635, which provided an ideal model for better understanding of the feature of morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata.

Key words: Charybdis Feriata, morphological traits, correlation analysis, path analysis, regression analysis.