Incidence of kyphosis deformities in natural population of Atherina lagunae (Trabelsi et al. 2002) from the Tunis North Lake, Tunisia
Ayed, N.; Faure, E.; Quignard, J.-P.; Maamouri, F.; Trabelsi, M. (2008). Incidence of kyphosis deformities in natural population of Atherina lagunae (Trabelsi et al. 2002) from the Tunis North Lake, Tunisia. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 153(3): 319-325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0813-y
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Ayed, N.
- Faure, E.
- Quignard, J.-P.
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- Maamouri, F.
- Trabelsi, M.
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| Abstract |
Vertebral abnormalities are common among fish and this constitutes a problem of quality and cost-efficiency in aquaculture and in fisheries. Information is presented on the occurrence of spinal deformities in natural population of Atherina lagunae (Teleostei, Atherinidae) in Tunis North Lake (Tunisia). This species is euryhaline and lives in most Mediterranean lagoons. A total of 2,175 fish were caught, in monthly samples, from October 2004 to August 2005. Deformed fishes were counted, photographed and radiographed. According to X-ray radiographies, kyphosis were the most common externally visible vertebral deformities. This abnormality was observed in 212 atherines (140 males and 72 females). The spinal deformity levels varied between 5.34% in December 2004 and 15.85% in June 2005, and averaged 9.75%. The rate of deformed fish varied considerably according to sex and size. The possible reasons of this deformity are also discussed. |
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