Morphological characteristics of the mud loach Misgurnus fossilis (L.) (Pisces: Cobitidae) from the mid Odra and Vistula river basins

Kotusz,J.

Morphological characteristics of the mud loach Misgurnus fossilis (L.) (Pisces: Cobitidae) from the mid Odra and Vistula river basins

Авторы

Kotusz,J.

Издатель

Pensoft Publishers

Описание

Morphological characteristics of M. fossilis was based on 139 specimens. Sexual dimorphism is manifested in 20 metric characters and in anatomical differences: structure of pectoral fins and presence of thickenings on the body sides of males. Growth of particular body parts is allometric, the main increase in the total body length falling on its mid part. Based on literature data, the material was compared with other European populations. The comparison revealed a wide variation of metric characters showing, however, no clinal pattern.