Using otolith shape and morphometry to identify four Alburnus species (A. chalcoides, A. escherichii, A. mossulensis and A. tarichi) in Turkish inland waters Summary Asteriscus otolith shapes as well as their morphometry and shape contours were investigated in order to identify four allopatric Alburnus species: A. chalcoides (G€ uldenst€ adt, 1772) (Ordu), A. escherichii Steindachner, 1897 (Eskis ßehir), A. mossulensis Heckel, 1843 (Tunceli), and A. tarichi (G€ uldenst€ adt, 1814) (Van) in Turkish inland waters. These were compared using the shape indices (form factor, roundness, circularity, ellipticity, rectangularity and aspect ratio), and the morphological characters [otolith weight (OWE), otolith length (OL), otolith width (OW), otolith perimeter (OP), and otolith area (OA)]. The overall canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) classification score was 93.8%, with the lowest score for A. escherichii (82.5%) and the highest for A. chalcoides (100%). The otolith shapes, morphology and shape contours of all sampled fish were a clear species differentiator, thereby demonstrating that the otolith shape is species-specific. The current study presents for the first time comprehensive variation information on interspecific leftright asteriscus otoliths in males and females of each Alburnus species: A. chalcoides from Ordu, A. escherichii from Eskis ßehir, A. mossulensis from Tunceli and A. tarichi from Van, based on a total of 307 individuals. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, shape contours and other otolith characters vary within the same genus; these differences should be investigated not only in other freshwater fish species or genera but also in the same species living in different habitats. In addition, further investigation is required not only with respect to the morphometry, biometry, shape, geometry, and shape contours of the otoliths, but also regarding the genetic methods for robust identification of various sympatric and allopatric fish populations. U.S.

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In this third Collective Article, with fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea, we present the historical length distribution of Lophius budegassa in the catch of commercial trawlers in the Greek seas; length-weight and length-length relationships of five flatfish species (Lepidorhombus boscii, L. whiffiagonis, Platichthys flesus, Pegusa lascaris and Solea solea) from different coastal areas of Turkey (Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea); growth of settled Polyprion americanus and length-weight relationships of this species and of Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus, Capros aper and three commercially important groupers in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; the age, growth and mortality of Zosterisessor ophiocephalus in the Eastern Adriatic Sea; the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Atherina boyeri in a Central Mediterranean semi-isolated lagoon, and also the length-weight and length-length relationships of three Alburnus species from different inland waters in Turkey.

This study focuses on the relationships between otolith measurements and total length; otolith shape indices and the total length; among otolith measurements for three Atherina boyeri populations (Lake Eğirdir, Lake İznik, and Hirfanlı Dam Lake) to determine regional variations of these populations in Turkey. 356 specimens with 41.0-103.6 mm total length of three A. boyeri populations were examined and their otoliths were extracted and measured. Otolith width is the strongest indicator for the three A. boyeri populations although the otolith length, width, and weight are good indicators for the fish length in the different populations. The linear relationship was determined between A. boyeri total length and sagittal otolith sizes in the three populations. However, the best model for the relationships among otolith sizes can be change depends on populations differentiation. Exponential model is the best model for Lake Eğirdir population while the linear model is the best model for Lake İznik and Hirfanlı Dam Lake populations.

In this study, the new occurrence of Carassius gibelio belonging to the genus Carassius in Ulugöl Plateau Pond (Mesudiye-Ordu, Turkey) and Perşembe Plateau Pond (Aybastı-Ordu, Turkey) in the Middle Black Sea Region (Turkey) is reported. The distribution data of Prussian carp was updated in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey in comparison to the previously known data. Presenting morphological data of samples collected from two different areas in the Middle Black Sea Region may contribute to revealing the current distribution status of this invasive species and determining the potential distribution areas.