Morphometric Assessment of Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio, Bloch, 1782) inhabiting Bayat Pond (Ankara, Türkiye): Insights into Length–Weight Relationship, Condition Factor, and Length–Length Conversions

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the biometric characteristics of the invasive cyprinid Carassius gibelio (Prussian carp) inhabiting Bayat Pond, a lentic freshwater body located in Ankara Province, Turkey. A total of 45 individuals were sampled during the spring of 2017 and analyzed for length–weight relationships (LWR), condition factor (K), and length–length relationships (LLRs). The LWR equation was calculated as W = 0.011·TL³.²¹⁴ (R² = 0.973), with the exponent b significantly differing from 3 (p < 0.05), indicating positive allometric growth. The 95 % confidence interval for the growth exponent lay between 3.051 and 3.377. An average condition factor of 2.27 ± 0.26 points to a population in generally sound health. When set against more than thirty published data sets from both still- and running-water habitats, the Bayat Pond b and K values fall comfortably within the broad spectrum reported for the species—evidence of its pronounced phenotypic flexibility and capacity to adjust to local conditions. Strong linear fits among total, fork and standard lengths (all R² > 0.96) further enable robust conversion between length metrics. Taken together, these results supply a valuable baseline for tracking the ecology of C. gibelio in Turkish inland waters and support informed management of this invasive cyprinid.

Keywords

• Prussian carp
• biometric analysis
• morphometry
• growth pattern
• freshwater ecosystem

Bayat Göleti (Ankara, Türkiye)’nde Yaşayan İsrail Sazanı (Carassius gibelio, Bloch 1782) Üzerine Morfometrik Bir Değerlendirme: Boy-Ağırlık İlişkisi, Kondisyon Faktörü ve Boy-Boy Dönüşümleri Üzerine Bulgular

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Ankara ilinde yer alan lentik bir iç su kütlesi olan Bayat Göleti’nde yaşayan istilacı sazan türü Carassius gibelio’nun biyometrik özelliklerini araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. 2017 yılı ilkbahar döneminde toplam 45 birey örneklenmiş ve boy–ağırlık ilişkisi (LWR), kondisyon faktörü (K) ve boy–boy dönüşüm ilişkileri (LLRs) analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen LWR denklemi W = 0.011·TL³.²¹⁴ (R² = 0.973) olup, b katsayısı 3’ten istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde farklı bulunmuştur (p < 0.05), bu da pozitif allometrik büyümeyi işaret etmektedir. b değeri için %95 güven aralığı 3.051–3.377 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ortalama kondisyon faktörü 2.27 (±0.26) olup bireylerin genel fizyolojik durumunun iyi olduğunu göstermektedir. Bayat Göleti verileri, Türkiye ve çevresindeki 30’dan fazla tatlı su habitatında yapılmış önceki çalışmalarla karşılaştırıldığında, b ve K değerlerinin geniş bir aralıkta değiştiği ve türün çevresel koşullara karşı yüksek fenotipik plastisite gösterdiği ortaya konmuştur. Ayrıca, total, fork ve standard uzunluk ölçümleri arasında güçlü doğrusal ilişkiler (R² > 0.96) bulunmuştur. Elde edilen bu bulgular, iç sularda C. gibelio popülasyonlarının izlenmesi ve istilacı türlerin ekosistem yönetimi açısından önemli bir temel veri sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• İsrail sazanı
• biyometrik analiz
• morfometri
• büyüme tipi
• tatlısu ekosistemi.

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