Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of the Morphometric Traits and Body Weight for the Four Color Patterns of Oujiang Color Common Carp

Abstract:

The relationship between five morphological traits [body length (X1), body width (X2), body height (X3), head length (X4), and caudal peduncle height (X5)] and the body weight (Y) of 12-month-old Oujiang color common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color), with four different body color patterns [red and black (RB), white and black (WB), whole red (WR), and whole white (WW)] were investigated using correlation analysis, regression analysis, and path analysis. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of all the studied traits was highest in the WR fish, demonstrating that the WR had the greatest potential for selective breeding. For the four different color patterns, the correlation coefficients among the morphological traits and body weight were all extremely significant (P≤0.01), and the greatest correlation coefficient was found between the body height and body weight. The multiple regression equations obtained with the stepwise regression method for the four body color patterns were listed as Y1 = –517.069+12.628X1 +67.916X2 +94.885 X5 (RB); Y2 =–525.711+38.085X2 +68.869X3 +72.206X5 (BW); Y3=–502.952+90.980X2 +18.172X4 +113.965X5 (WR); Y4 = –537.119+22.932X1 +55.113X2 +48.203X5 (WW). The path coefficient analysis showed the highest direct effect of body width on the weight in the RB (0.387) and WR (0.504) fishes, and body height on weight in the WB fishes (0.546), and body length on weight in the WW fishes (0.508). The current study indicated that the morphological differences among the four body color patterns of the Oujiang color common carp had different degrees of influence on the morphological traits of body weight. Consequently, this study provides important insights that can be utilized for selective breeding of Oujiang color common carp in the future.