Morphometrical characterization of the Atlantic mudskipper species (Periophthalmus barbarus) (Linnaeus, 1766) (Perciformes; Gobiiae) from Abonema in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Mudskippers are borderline organisms whose biology, systematics and evolution has attracted research attention for so long. There controversies in their especially because the morphological classifies plastic can be dependent on life stage, living conditions expertise of scientist. This paper sort to characterize Nigerian mudskippers using firstly morphometry, then DNA barcoding complete mitogenome sequences. Ten parameters were measured One hundred specimens result was subjected exploratory data analysis. The mudskipper is size shape not different from other species found around world. standard deviation all measurements range low (0.24-055) six parameters, medium two (0.56-0.86) high remaining (0.87-1.17). Low an indication very variability with clustering mean closely. Scatter plotting indicated five specimen that classified as outliers. Principal component analysis namely PC1 PC2 being responsible 68% variance observed. plots 1 2 head width, depth snout length loaded positively while only body PC2. also amphidromous. essence this initial see if will indicate any significant grouping we plan select samples molecular