Regional variation of relationship between total length and otolith sizes in the three Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 populations, Turkey

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationships between otolith measurements and total length; otolith shape indices and the total length; among otolith measurements for three Atherina boyeri populations (Lake Eğirdir, Lake İznik, and Hirfanlı Dam Lake) to determine regional variations of these populations in Turkey. 356 specimens with 41.0 - 103.6 mm total length of three A. boyeri populations were examined and their otoliths were extracted and measured. Otolith width is the strongest indicator for the three A. boyeri populations although the otolith length, width, and weight are good indicators for the fish length in the different populations. The linear relationship was determined between A. boyeri total length and sagittal otolith sizes in the three populations. However, the best model for the relationships among otolith sizes can be change depends on populations differentiation. Exponential model is the best model for Lake Eğirdir population while the linear model is the best model for Lake İznik and Hirfanlı Dam Lake populations.