Length-Weight Relationship and Sagittal Otolith Morphometrics of Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea: Using Multiple Analytical Approaches | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Volume 29, Issue 5, September and October 2025, Pages 2411-2427 PDF (834.37 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.427182.6648 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Toufik MANSOURI* 1; Yassine Guendouzi2; Miliani Djezzar3; Christoph Stransky4; Hendrik Brückner4; Norbert Rohlf5 | ||
| 1Department of Biology, Sciences of Nature and Life Faculty, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Mostaganem, 27000, PO Box 300, Algeria. ERP (Eau, Roches & Plantes) Laboratory, Djilali Bounaama University of Khemis Miliana, Theniet | ||
| 2Marine Sciences Department, Natural and Life Sciences Institute. University Center of Tipaza, Algeria. | ||
| 3Department of Ecology and Environment, Sciences of Nature and Life Faculty, Djilali Bounaama University of Khemis Miliana, Algeria. | ||
| 4Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries / Thünen-Institut für Seefischerei Herwigstr. 31 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany | ||
| 5Thünen-Institute of Sea Fisheries (TI-SF) Herwigstraße 31 D-27572 Bremerhaven | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study investigated the length-weight relationship and morphometric characteristics of sagittal otoliths of Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758), including contour shape analysis, using multiple analytical approaches. These approaches aim to characterize the otoliths' outlines and to explore their potential as a tool for biological and ecological discrimination. A sample of 102 D. sargus individuals was collected from fisheries in three locations representing different coastal regions of Algeria: Mostaganem (western coast), Tipaza (central coast), and Jijel (eastern coast). A significant positive correlation (R² = 0.67; P < 0.05) between total length (TL) vs. total weight (TW) was revealed. Isometric growth between length and weight was recorded in D. sargus individuals (P> 0.05). Significant inter-station differences in TL and TW indicated spatial heterogeneity in population structure. A morphometric analysis based on weight and shape indices was applied to assess the structural variability of the otoliths. No significant differences were detected between the two sagittal otoliths in terms of weight and morphometric parameters (P> 0.05: Wilcoxon test and paired t-test). Furthermore, contour analysis of the right sagittal otolith using the wavelet method revealed significant shape variation, particularly in D. sargus sampled from Mostaganem. This variation may reflect the influence of environmental and/or genetic factors on otolith contour morphology in this region. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Shape analysis; Otolith contours; Stock discrimination; Algeria | ||
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