Publication details
Patterns of morphological variability during the life history of bitterling Rhodeus sericeus (Pallas)
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 1997 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | When do fish became juveniles? - Looking beyond methamorphosis to juvenile development |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | fish; ontogeny; juvenile period; bitterling |
| Description | In order to describe patterns of relative growth during the early life-history of the bitterling we examined 21 mensural characters. These were expressed in 24 indices as a percentage of standard length (SL) and head length (HL) respectively, and divided into groups according to their pattern of relative growth. Nine characters exhibited isometric growth (relative proportion did not change with increasing SL). Eleven characters exhibited positive allometric growth (relative proportion increased with increasing SL) and four negative allometric growth. Stabilisation of characters may occur when bitterling reach sexual maturity, however some may continue to grow allometrically during adult period. |