Morphometric, meristic and genetic characteristics of Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) in the Black Sea

Abstract

The Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) is a commercially important and popular species in the world as well as in Turkish fisheries sector. In this study, the morphologic and meristic features and genetic characteristics of Atlantic bonito in the Black Sea were examined. We found that most of the morphometric measurements in females were greater than males. Besides, 10 haplotypes were found for COI gene region, 3 haplotypes for 16s gene region and 4 haplotypes for the rhodopsin gene region. Genetic closure was determined in Tirebolu population for the first time.