Length-weight and length-length relationships of chub (Squalius cephalus, L., 1758) inhabiting a few inland waters of the Middle Black Sea Region

Abstract

In this study, the length-weight and length-length relationships of chub (Squalius cephalus, L. 1758) sampled from a few inland waters of the middle Black Sea were investigated. A total of 218 (Abdal (N=44), Akcay (N=57), Terme (N=55), Yedikir (N=62)) chub individuals were sampled from different localities. All captured individuals were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm for total, fork and standard lengths. The weight of each sample (W) was recorded (0.01 g). According to results of analyses, there were no statistically significant differences between sexes in terms of length and weight (P. 0.05). So, entire populations (female+ male) were evaluated together for analyses. The average total lengths of chub sampled from the Abdal Stream, Akcay Stream, Terme Stream and Yedikir Dam Lake varies between 11.49 +/- 0.792, 10.31 +/- 0.518, 10.33 +/- 0.289 and 11.11 +/- 0.327 cm, respectively. The length-weight relationships (LWRs) were found highly significant (P < 0.001, r(2) > 0.990) for all localities. The value of ` b' of LWR was significantly different from 3.0 in chub and the growth type is possitive allometric for all localities. The equations of length-weight relationship were calculated as W=0.007TL3.224, W=0.006TL3.285, W=0.005TL3.298, W=0.007TL3.210 for Abdal, Akcay, Terme and Yedikir, respectively. Length-length relationship was also highly significant (P < 0.001) with coefficient of determination (r(2)) ranging from 0.916 to 0.999.