Search

The aim of this study is to investigate stock discrimination of the Black Scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus (family Scorpaenidae) sampled from three Tunisian stations (Hammam Lif, Rafraf, Djerba). The method used is otolith shape analysis and the paper describes the methodology and the results. The basis of this method is the detection of phenotypic polymorphism between the three populations of fish, between pairs of otoliths from each station and between the pairs of otoliths of different stations. Discriminating analysis was used to illustrate the differences and similarities between the observed groups and optimize the variability existing between them. The interpretation of results shows the presence of three distinct populations with a slight overlap. They show a left-right otolith symmetry for the groups of Hammam Lif and Rafraf unlike that of Djerba which detects an asymmetry. An asymmetry is also detected when comparing otoliths of the same side (RR-LL) between different stations.