Bilateral asymmetry in size of otolith of Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) collected from the marine waters of Iraq

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 165; p. 112110
• Main Authors: Jawad, Laith A., Qasim, Audai M., Al-Faiz, Nawras A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Asymmetry; Bilateral asymmetry; Ecological indicator; Fish; Fishes; Fluctuating asymmetry; Iraq; Length; Otolith; Otolith length; Otolith width; Otolithes ruber; Otolithic Membrane; Perciformes; Pollutants; Sciaenidae; Width; Iraq; Otolith length; Bilateral asymmetry; Otolith; Sciaenidae; Ecological indicator; Otolith width
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112110

The otolith length and width of adult teleost Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) were used to calculate the fluctuating asymmetry in these two characters. The results displayed that the amount of asymmetry of the otolith width was the highest between the two asymmetry values attained for the otolith of O. ruber. Further, the lowest level of asymmetry in the two otolith characters is at the fish length ranging between 150 and 180 mm and the highest at the fish length ranging between 461 and 2490 mm. The conceivable reason for the asymmetry in this species has been deliberated relative to different pollutants and their presence in the area. A tendency of increase in the asymmetry levels with the fish length was observed for the otolith length and width. •The otolith length and width of adult teleost Otolithes ruber were used to calculate the fluctuating asymmetry in these two characters.•The amount of asymmetry of the otolith width was the highest between the two asymmetry values attained.•The lowest level of asymmetry ranging between 150-180 mm and the highest ranging between 461-2490 mm.•The conceivable reason for the asymmetry in this species has been deliberated relative to different pollutants and their presence in the area.