Original scientific paper
INFLUENCE OF ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE GROWTH RATE OF THE RED MULLET MULLUS BARBATUS PONTICUS
2022, 80 (2) p. 0-0
Elena Melnikova, Natalya Kuzminova
Abstract
A study of the interannual variability of the size-age composition of Mullus barbatus ponticus, inhabiting the South-Western shelf of Crimea, over a five-year period (from 2016 to 2020) was carried out. The influence of abiotic factors of the environment on the growth rate is considered. Equations obtained characterize the size-weight growth of M. barbatus ponticus. The influence of the sea temperature on the development of individuals is considered. It is shown that with an increase in the average annual water temperature, the average annual length (correlation coefficient r = 0.97), weight (r = 0.96) and condition factor (r = 0.93) of individuals increase. It was found that red mullet has a positive allometric growth in the study area. The analysis showed that there was a close correlation between changes in the average annual temperature and the allometric growth rate b (r = 0.97). The equations obtained of length growth of M. barbatus ponticus showed that the rate of linear growth of fish living on the South-Western shelf of the Crimea retarded from other compared areas: the Sinop region (Black Sea) and the Aegean Sea. The comparison of the effect of temperature on the size and weight parameters of Mullus barbatus ponticus living in the South-Eastern part of the Black Sea (Sinop region) and the Aegean Sea is carried out; general patterns and differences are noted.
Keywords
Black Sea, Influence of temperature, Interannual variability, Length growth, Mullus barbatus ponticus, South-Eastern Crimean shelf