Assessing Length-Weight Relationships of Anodonta anatina in Damba Reservoir

Abstract

Bivalves are molluscs of aquatic bottom dwellers that have many ecological impacts. Most importantly, they purify the water they inhabit. They are affected by environmental, ecological, and biological factors. The current study aimed to determine the length-weight relationship (LWR) of Anodonta anatina in the Damba Reservoir using standard procedural methods. One hundred samples were collected using the handpicking method at four sampling stations in the reservoir over five weeks. LWR was determined using morphometric measurements with digital Vernier caliper. The highest correlation coefficient (0.9632) was recorded for the TL-W relationship. The paired variable values of total length – weight (TL-W), height -weight (H-W), width – weight (WD-W), lever length – weight (LL-W), and umbo-anterior length – width (UAL-W) showed negative allometric values, with b values <3 (1.27, 1.07, 0.85, 1.02, 0.92 respectively). These results show that growth in length (TL, H, WD, LL, and UAL) was faster than the increase in weight of A. anatina in the Damba Reservoir relating to poor state of wellbeing.