Biometric properties of horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) from the middle Adriatic Sea

Twelve morphometric measurements and eight meristic characteristics were examined in 257 specimens of horse mackerel (115 females, 103 males and 39 immatuire ones) caught in the middle Adriatic. Morphological differences between males and females were not marked. Modal values of the morphometric measurements and the meristic properties indicate thta the horse mackerel population in the middle Adriatic is homogeneous. No diffreences indicate the existence of subpopulations. Some morphometric chnages occurred as the total body lengt increased. Comparison with other studies indicated that there are no marked morphological differences between mid Adriatic horse mackerel populations and those inhabiting different parts of the Mediterranean, northeastern Atlantic and Balck Seas.