Determination of Otolith Mass Asymmetry in Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled from Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea (Türkiye)

Authors : Melek Özpiçak, Aleyna Öztürk

Pages : 68-74

Doi:10.55213/kmujens.1803480

View : 84 | Download : 136

Publication Date : 2025-12-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aimed to determine otolith mass asymmetry (X) and absolute otolith mass asymmetry (IXI) in Boops boops, a species of high economic value sampled from the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea in Türkiye, and to make comparisons between locations. No statistically significant difference was found between right-left otolith pairs in both locations (P˃0.05). The mean otolith mass asymmetry and absolute mass asymmetry values were found to be -0.00078±0.00405 and 0.0021±0.00258, and -0.00606±0.0049 and 0.0015±0.00401 for the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively. In addition, otolith mass asymmetry did not show significant differences among localities (P˃0.05), while absolute otolith mass asymmetry differed between localities. Also, the relationships between X-IXI and fish length were determined using a linear regression equation. The analyses revealed no relationship between fish length and X in either location (P˃0.05). However, when examining the relationships between fish length and absolute otolith mass asymmetry, no significant relationship was found for the Mediterranean location (P˃0.05), while the relationship between fish length and absolute otolith mass asymmetry was found to be significant in the Aegean Sea (P<0.05). The results of this study provide important information that can aid in the development of fisheries management measures and conservation strategies for B. boops sampled from the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in Türkiye.
Keywords : Otolit, Kütle Asimetrisi, Boops boops, Türkiye

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