Skeletal deformities in Sparus aurata from Türkiye: Incidences from Bafa Lake and the Aegean Sea

Abstract

The first record of the abnormalities ankylosis (fusion of vertebrae), lordosis (V-shaped curvature of the vertebral column), kyphosis (Λ-shaped curvature), and kypholordosis (the presence of both conditions) have been reported in two specimens of Sparus aurata collected from Bafa Lake and Bodrum-Kıyıkışlacık Coast, Türkiye and used in this study. Both specimens displayed a severe level of deformity. All cases were non-fatal as they occurred in subadult individuals. Assessment of abnormality in the studied specimen was carried out by the morphological diagnosis and using mammography. Externally, the two specimens have a deeper body than the normal specimen. There was significant osteological damage has been revealed by the mammography of these deformed specimens. The saddleback anomaly is in the anterior part of the spinous part of the dorsal fin that showed no missing spines. In addition, the lateral line was deformed in both specimens examined. In addition, there were several minor skeletal abnormalities. These anomalies have been considered an important indicator of environmentally induced stress on the wild fishes. Hence, the present finding highlights the need for closer monitoring of the marine environment and for the identification of the specific factor that causes these abnormalities.