Investigating otolith mass asymmetry in four fish species from Antalya Bay, Mediterranean coast of Türkiye

Creative Commons License

KOCA H. U., BAHADIR KOCA S., CİLBİZ M., Jawad L. A.

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, cilt.54, sa.1, ss.79-87, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 54 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.26881/oahs-2025.1.07
  • Dergi Adı: Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), Geobase, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.79-87
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Antalya Bay, Boops boops, ecological factors, Nemipterus randalli, Scorpaena elongata, Scorpaena notata, Türkiye
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Isparta Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Otolith weight (OWe) asymmetry plays a crucial role in the vestibular function of the inner ear, potentially affecting its performance. Typically, OWe asymmetry values range from -0.2 to +0.2 (-0.2 < X < +0.2). In this study, we collected 136 fish specimens from the Gulf of Antalya, located along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, which included the species Nemipterus randalli, Boops boops, Scorpaena elongata, and Scorpaena notata. Our findings revealed that the level of OWe asymmetry in these four teleost species increases with the total length (TL) of the fish. Evaluating OWe asymmetry is essential for understanding its potential impact on larval settlement in this significant fishing region. The results also showed that N. randalli and B. boops exhibited lower levels of OWe asymmetry compared with S. elongata and S. notata. Environmental factors, which indirectly influence somatic growth and otolith formation, may explain the significant differences observed, as the species inhabit distinct environments.