NEW DATA ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES OF ANCHOVY EGGS (ENGRAULIS-ENCRASICOLUS L) IN THE BLACK-SEA

A survey was carried out on anchovy eggs in the Black Sea, within the framework of the international ComsBlack programme, during the main sp awning period in July 1992. Length measurements of anchovy eggs displa yed regional differences, as did egg shape. The mean size of eggs foun d in the northern area was: longitudinal diameter, 1.18 mm (range 1.00 -1.37 mm); transverse diameter, 0.74 mm (range 0.62-0.87 mm). The mean size of eggs found in the southern area was: longitudinal diameter, 1 .11 mm (range 0.95-1.25 mm); transverse diameter, 0.66 mm (range 0.50- 0.80 mm). Eggs in the northern Black Sea were bigger and oval in shape , while both oval and elongated eggs occurred in the southern Black Se a, and of these the elongated eggs were mainly found in coastal region s. The size and shape of the anchovy eggs could not be correlated with salinity and temperature. The occurrence of smaller, elongated eggs i n the southern Black Sea, which are characteristic of the Marmara anch ovy, might indicate migration of the Marmara anchovy into the Black Se a, which has not previously been recorded. (C) 1997 Published by Elsev ier Science B.V.