Some meristic characteristics of hybrids between Acipenser naccarii and Acipenser baerii

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe meristic characters of hybrid Acipenser naccarii x A. baeri, to be used as the basis for characterizing hybrid specimens in a complementary manner to as described for A. naccarii by Hernando et al. (1999). Thirty 2+ and 3+ year class individuals from the Region of Lombardy (Italy) were analysed for eight morphological variables (Soljan 1975; Holcick et al. 1989), and weight. Three indices, viz the relative position of barbels (CA), the ratio of snout width to length (FB) (Garrido-Ramos et al. 1997), and the Soljan index (Hernando et al. 1999), were used to characterize hybrids. A descriptive analyses of variables, simple and multiple regression analysis, and principal components relationships, were calculated. The relationships between TI and the indices was described using a stepwise multiple regression analysis: TI = 33.32 - 0.26 CA + 10.49 FB + 74.45 SOLJ (F = 1.96; Df = 3 ).