Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
Morphological features of Golden mullet (Liza aurata) population in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea were studied. A total of 228 fish specimens were collected from Bandar Anzali, Kiashahr, Babolsar and Bandar Turkman in Iranian waters. A combination of Truss network, traditional system and few meristic counts were simultaneously applied to the sample set. Statistically high significant morphometric differences were observed between the four L. aurata stocks. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between the means of samples for 10 out of 25 standardized morphometric measurements of truss system, 3 out of 7 measurements of traditional morphometric system and also the number of second dorsal fin spines, soft rays of second dorsal fin, total number of pectoral fin rays, soft rays of anal fin, number of squmosum scales and pyloric caeca among meristic counts. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 76% and 70.3% of individuals into their original samples for morphometric features and meristic counts, respectively. Plotting discriminant functions revealed differentiation of the four stocks based on morphometric measurements. The Bandar Anzali stock was isolated from the others, and the Baholsar stock was found to be located between Kiashahr and Bandar Turkman stocks. The pattern of morphological discreetness suggests a direct relationship between the extent of morphological divergence and geographical separation.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Pyloric caeca
;
Meristic counts
;
Fin ray counts
;
Liza aurata
;
Brackish
;
Animal morphology
;
Population genetics
;
Geographical distribution
;
Morphometry
;
Mullet fisheries
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Journal Contribution
,
Refereed
Format:
pp.35-48
