TITLE:
Fluctuating Asymmetry of Elops lacerta (Valenciennes, 1847) Otoliths in the Western African Waters
AUTHORS:
Madel Floriane Adjibayo Houeto, Marwa Mejri, Malek Tazarki, Marius Sounouvou, Nicolas Andrialovanirina, Meriem Ben Ghorbel, Pierre Dossou-Yovo, Abdellah Chalh, Pierre Quignard, Monia Trabelsi, Kélig Mahé
KEYWORDS:
Analysis, Porto-Novo Lagoon, Cotonou Lagoon, Lake Nokoué, Coast Atlantic
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Marine Science,
Vol.14 No.3,
June
11,
2024
ABSTRACT: The importance of this study lies in the in-depth exploration of the ecological diversity of otoliths in Elops lacerta, based on the analysis of data from 260 individuals collected from various sites, including the Porto Novo lagoon, the Cotonou lagoon, Lake Nokoué, and the Atlantic coast in southern Benin. The results highlight significant variations in otolith morphology, establishing relevant links with the biological parameters of the fish at each site. Exploration of the asymmetry between the right and left sides reveals notable distinctions between these two aspects. Analysis of otolith shape thus emerges as a valuable tool for discriminating between stocks and providing a better understanding of ecological variations. The local diversity observed highlights the crucial importance of implementing adaptive management strategies to ensure effective conservation of the species and its habitat.