Fluctuating asymmetry in the size of the otolith of Engraulis australis (Shaw, 1790) recovered from the food of the Australasian gannet, Morus serrator, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

Abstract

The fluctuating asymmetry values of the two otolith parameters: length and width of Engraulis australis, recovered from the food of gannet, which inhabit colonies in islands at Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand was calculated in this study. The dissimilarity value of the otolith width was higher than that of the otolith length. An inclination of upsurge in the dissimilarity values with the fish length was noted for the otolith sizes studied. The dissimilarity value in the two otolith sizes was the lowest for fish having total length of 115–154 mm, and the highest for fish with length of 151–160 mm. The conceivable reason of the dissimilarity obtained could be related to diverse contaminants and their presence in the study location.