Allometric body shape changes and morphological differentiation of Shemaya, Alburnus chalcoides (Guldenstadf, 1772), populations in the southern part of Caspian Sea using Elliptic Fourier analysis

Study of phenotypic diversity among populations can help better understanding of diversification of species within ecosystems and intraspecific diversification in fishes. A geometric morphometric study was carried out using the Elliptic Fourier analysis to demonstrate the effect of habitat type on morphological features of shemaya (Alburnus chalcoides) populations. Populations were sampled from three rivers and one lagoon, from the southern part of Caspian Sea. Significant differences in body shape were found among the populations. Differences in shapes of the riverine populations were minute compared to those of lagoon one in terms of size and shape. Shemaya is an anaderemus fish and its populations have a common origin, therefore, observed differences could be as result of environmental factors. In addition, this study suggest that the amount of curvature i.e. fusiform body shape of this species could be independent form environmental condition.