Morphological properties of Horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus Aleev, 1956 (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) from the Black Sea

Thirty two morphometrics and seven meristic characteristics were examined to evaluate the subpopulations from Varna Bay and Cape Igneada (Turkey, Black Sea coast) in 200 samples of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus). Morphological differences between two samples were marked. The differences between samples from Varna Bay and Cape Igneada (Turkey) were possible due to diversities in the habitat. Difference coefficient of transgression in all of examined parameters was found less than 1.28. Some morphometric changes occurred as the total body length increased in the sample from Cape Igneada. There is not enough evidence to distinguish two different horse mackerel subpopulations.