Morphometrics of Pseudorasbora parva (Schlegel, 1842) (cyprinidae: gobioninae), a species introduced into the Polish waters

Abstract

A morphological analysis of 11 meristic and 25 plastic characters, based on 72 specimens of Pseudorasbora parva from carp ponds in the region of Ruda Sułowska (Barycz R. system, SW Poland). The populations occurring in European waters display a wide morphological variability, significantly differing from one another. Sexual dimorphism is manifested in larger body size of males as well as in four plastic characters. The main length increase concerns the fish medial section (positive allometry), whereas the distal parts of the body, eye diameter and the postorbital part of head grow slowlier (negative allometry).