Morphometric Traits of the Sagitta of Common Sole (Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758)) Captured from East Libya Mediterranean Sea Coast

Abstract

This paper aimed to establish traits of morphometric parameters of Soleasolea sagitta and to determine the relationship of these parameters to fish size. A total of 74 fish collected from Al-Tamimi shore, eastern Libya, during winter 2020 were used in the study. Total weight (TW), total length (TL), standard length (StL), head length (HL), and body depth (BD) were measured for individual fish. Mean TL and TW were 23.33mm and 106.76mg; the length-weight relationship (TL-TW) indicated slightly negative allometric growth (b=2.64, R2=0.84). Sagitta weight (SWt), length (SL) and width (SW), sulcus acoustic length (SAL), cauda length (CL), cauda width (CW), and ostium length (OSL) were measured. Because differences between parameters of sagittae on the eyed side and the blind side were statistically insignificant, only values of the eyed side were used to calculate sagitta area and perimeter, and the shape parameters. The anterior region of the sagitta was rounded, the posterior end was flattened and the proximal was slightly convex, whereas the distal surface was concave. SAL and CL were 1.57 and 0.572 mm, and CW and OSL were 0.367 and 0.958mm in order. The sagitta was bullet shaped with smooth surface and irregular margins and sulucusacusticus was slightly deepened. The ostium and the cauda were distinguishable. The Ostium was tubular and longer than the cauda which is elliptical. Percentages of SL/TL%, SH/OL%, CL/SAL%, and OSL/SAL% were calculated. Regressions of the measured sagitta parameters with fish TL, BD and SL, and regressions of the shape parameters with SL, were established