Otolith and Scale morphology of Endemic fishCyprinion macrostomumin Tigris-Euphrates Basin

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the otolith and scale morphology ofCyprinion macrostomumin the Tigris-Euphrates Basin. A total of 50 specimens are evaluated, and total length and body weight values of samples are ranged 6.7-10.4 cm, and 2.7-10.9 g, respectively. The asteriscus and lapillus pairs are examined, and also the scales from the six body regions of juvenile and adultC. macrostomumsamples are investigated. The otolith characters such as shape, size, proximal and distal surfaces, antirostrum and rostrum types and the scale morphological characters such as type, size, shape, focus position, circuli appearance, radii type, and rostral and caudal margin shapes are the distinguishable characters for theC. macrostomumsamples. Whereas asteriscus pairs shape is discoidal, lapillus pairs shape is kidney-shaped forC. macrostomumsamples. When the scales in six different body regions ofC. macrostomumare compared, there are differences between the scale shapes obtained from six different regions.