Investigation of otolith mass asymmetry of Squalius sp. populations sampled from different freshwater sources in Samsun Province (Türkiye)

Abstract

This research aimed to determine and compare the otolith mass asymmetry (OMA) of Squalius sp. species sampled from ten different freshwater sources in Samsun province. In this context, fish samples obtained from Abdal Stream, Akçay Stream, Engiz Stream, Istavloz Stream, Kaynatma Stream, Mert River, Taşkelik Stream, Terme Stream, Tersakan Stream, Yeşilpınar Stream. The difference between the right and left otoliths were found to be statistically significant in the Istavloz Stream and Tersakan Stream for the asteriscus and in the Abdal Stream for the lapillus (p0.05). This is the first study in which OMA and absolute otolith mass asymmetry of Squalius sp. living in the freshwaters of Samsun province were investigated, and their relationships with fish length were evaluated.