Some Biological Parameters and Otolith–Fish Size Relationships of the Endemic Alburnoides kurui Turan, Kaya, Bayçelebi, Bektaş & Ekmekçi, 2017 from the Tersakan Stream, Northern Anatolia

Öz

This study aims to examine the sex ratio, length and weight distribution, length–weight relationship, condition factor, and otolith morphometric relationships of the endemic freshwater fish Alburnoides kurui from the Tersakan Stream in Northern Anatolia. A total of 102 specimens were collected in November 2024 using electrofishing. The sample comprised 42 females, 46 males, and 14 individuals of undetermined sex, showing an approximately equal sex distribution. Total length ranged from 4.9 to 11.3 cm, and body weight from 0.92 to 15.62 g. Length–weight relationships were analyzed separately by sex, with allometric coefficients (b) ranging from 2.97 to 3.27; females exhibited positive allometric growth, whereas males showed isometric growth. Fulton’s condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kr) varied by sex and size class, with females generally displaying higher and more variable Kr values. Strong relationships were observed between otolith measurements and fish length, with different otolith axes showing either isometric or allometric growth patterns, suggesting that different otolith axes are reliable predictors of fish size. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of the biological traits and otolith morphometric relationships of A. kurui. Additionally, the observed maximum total length of 11.3 cm and weight of 15.62 g represent new maximum recorded values for the species.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Alburnoides kurui
• endemic fish
• length–weight relationship
• condition factor
• otolith morphometry

Kuzey Anadolu'daki Tersakan Çayı'ndan Endemik Alburnoides kurui Turan, Kaya, Bayçelebi, Bektaş & Ekmekçi, 2017'nin Bazı Biyolojik Parametreleri ve Otolit-Balık Boyutu İlişkileri

Öz

Bu çalışma, Kuzey Anadolu’daki Tersakan Deresi’nden endemik tatlı su balığı Alburnoides kurui’nin eşey oranı, boy ve ağırlık dağılımı, boy–ağırlık ilişkisi, kondisyon faktörü ve otolit biyometrik ilişkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Toplam 102 birey Kasım 2024 tarihinde elektroşokla elde edilmiştir. Örneklemede 42 dişi, 46 erkek ve 14 eşeyi belirlenemeyen birey bulunmuş ve yaklaşık eşit eşey dağılımı gözlemlenmiştir. Toplam boy 4,9–11,3 cm ve ağırlık 0,92–15,62 g aralığında değişmiştir. Boy–ağırlık ilişkileri eşeye göre ayrı analiz edilmiş ve allometrik katsayı (b) 2,97–3,27 aralığında bulunmuş; dişiler pozitif allometrik, erkekler izometrik büyüme göstermiştir. Fulton’un kondisyon faktörü (K) ve nispi kondisyon faktörü (Kr) değerleri eşey ve boy gruplarına göre değişiklik göstermiş, dişiler genellikle daha yüksek ve değişken Kr değerleri sergilemiştir. Otolit ölçümleri ile balık boyu arasında güçlü ilişkiler gözlenmiş olup farklı otolit eksenlerinin izometrik veya allometrik büyüme şablonu göstermesi, bu eksenlerin balık boyunun güvenilir göstergeleri olduğunu düşündürmektedir. Bu çalışma, A. kurui’nin biyolojik özellikleri ve otolit morfometrik ilişkileri üzerine yapılan ilk kapsamlı araştırmadır. Ayrıca, gözlemlenen 11,3 cm toplam boy ve 15,62 g ağırlık, tür için kaydedilmiş yeni maksimum değerleri temsil etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Alburnoides kurui
• endemik balık
• boy–ağırlık ilişkisi
• kondisyon faktörü
• otolit morfometrisi

Kaynakça

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