Morpho-ecological Features of Anchovy Kilka under the ChangingConditions of the Caspian Sea

摘要

Long-term data on the biology and morphological features of anchovy kilka in the Caspian Sea are presented. Sharp changes in the structure of its population have occurred since the introduction of the warty comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi into the Caspian Sea in 1999. Comparative analysis of the variability of the external morphological characters of anchovy kilka from different areas of the Caspian Sea has demonstrated significant differences in 50% of the features under consideration. Sexual dimorphism of meristic and plastic characters of anchovy kilka and the dependence of plastic body features on fish size have been found.