The influence of some abiotic parameters on growth inclination in ascidian Halocynthia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1767) from the northern Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between growth orientation, body height and depth on sampling sites. The survey was carried out during 2008 in the area of the island Mali Lošinj. A total of 46 specimens of Halocynthia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1767) were analyzed. The growth orientation varied from 60° to 80° and body height was in the range of 20 mm to 110 mm. Pearson's correlation coefficient shows the positive correlation between growth orientation and body height and the same correlation is determined between depth and body height. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient shows a more positive correlation neither between growth orientation and body height nor growth orientation and depth.