PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY IN OTOLITHS OF PAGELLUS ERYTHRINUS LINNAEUS, 1758 (ACTINOPTERYGII, SPARIDAE, PERCIFORMES) IN THE LIGURIAN AND CENTRAL-NORTHERN TYRRENIAN SEA

Loredana Russo

Loredana Russo CIBM - Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina “G.Bacci” https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3140-1428

Keywords: Otolith mass asymmetry, pagellus erythrinus

Abstract

Otolith Mass Asymmetry (OMA) represent a useful bioindicator to test different enviromental impacts (e.g., pollution, parasitism) and/or genetic factors on fish popolations. In this study, fluctuating asymmetry of the otoliths of Pagellus erythrinus was analyzed through otolith mass asymmetry. P. erythrinus otoliths come from the MEDITS survey (MEDiterranean International Trawl Survey) carry out in FAO Geographical Sub-Area 9 (GSA 9). For each individual, total length (TL, cm) was measured, and sex was determined macroscopically. Length (OL, mm) and weight (OW, g) were recorded for each otolith. ANOVA test was applied to determine differences between males and females; t-test was used to determine the presence of asymmetry and the relationships between OMA and the total length of the individual were studied. Asymmetry was not detected and no correlation between total length and OMA was observed.