Use of otolith microchemical and morphological analyses for stock discrimination of Sarpa salpa on two Tunisian islands, Djerba and Kerkennah

Otolith morphological and microchemical analyses are relatively new scientific research methods used in fish stock evaluation and management. However, in Tunisia, only morphological methods have been used. The objective of this study was the Sarpa salpa stock discrimination of Djerba and Kerkennah by the otoliths morphological and microchemical analysis, while carrying out a fluctuating asymmetry analysis and a stock comparison of males and females for each population. The results revealed significant differences between the Djerba and Kerkennah populations, significant differences between the stocks of males and females in each population, and a highly significant fluctuating asymmetry for both populations. The results of the otolith morphological analysis were similar to those of the microchemical analysis. This result proves that both morphological and microchemical analyses are powerful tools for fish stock discrimination.