Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 29-30/2. (2010)
Zoology
APPLICATION OF ALLOMETRIC CONDITION FACTOR IN STUDYING OF WINTERING PERIOD INFLUENCE ON THE CONDITION STATUS OF JUVENILE REARED CYPRINIDS SPECIES Gabriela GRIGORA§ Complexui Muzeal de Stiintele Naturii Galati, str. Regiment 11 Siret nr 6A, RO-800340 Galati, Romania, griggabil@gmail.com Abstract: A large range of environmental and biological factors typical for cold season, their daily fluctuations and also anthropogenic factors (fish handling, technological operations etc) influence the physiological status of fish at individual level and its effects could be quantified by multiple biomarkers from different levels of biological organization. The Fulton Condition Factor represents one of these quantifiers related to condition status in fish. This index provides important information in connection with physiological status of fish and comparative researches of distinguishes populations allow the living environment quality assessment. There is not yet an agreement referring to the ways by which data are gathered for Condition Factor calculation. There are several authors that show the formula К = W/L3 is not a real representation of the length/weight relationship for the great majority of fish species. An alternative method of fish condition state assesment using the Allometric Condition factor by means of the expression К = W/Lb has been developed in present paper in order to analyzed the distortions induced by the different calculating methods of b coefficient corresponding to the sampled individuals from four reared juvenile cyprinids species exposed to the winter factors influence. Keywords: Fulton Condition Factor, juvenile reared cyprinids Introduction A large range of environmental and biological factors typical for cold season, their daily fluctuations and also anthropogenic factors (fish handling, technological operations etc.) influences the physiological status of fish at individual level and its effects could be quantified by multiple biomarkers from different levels of biological organization. The Fulton Condition Factor represents one of these quantifiers related to condition status. This paper is a part from a larger study that proposed the physiological assessment of four reared juvenile cyprinids species under the wintering factors influence and it developed during several years. The nutritional status of fish changes after a seasonal cycle in relation with the food availability and modifications of feeding behavior. The fish sampling before and after winter period reveals seasonal variation of biometric indices [12]. The Fulton Condition Factor is an index of employed regularly in fisheries and is based on length and weight of the animal assuming that M A R I S I A, XXIX-XXX, p. 83-94
