Bahar Bayhan  , Tuncay Murat Sever  , Ertan Taskavak  , 
    Age, Length-Weight Relationships and Diet Composition of Scaldfish <I>Arnoglossus laterna</I> (Walbaum, 1792) (Pisces: Bothidae) in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea),
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 7,Issue 8,
    2008,
    Pages 924-929,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2008.924.929,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2008.924.929)
    Abstract: The age, length-weight relationship and diet composition of <I>Arnoglossus laterna</I> from the Izmir Bay were examined in specimens caught on a seasonal basis from January 2002 to March 2003. The ratio of male to female of 1081 scaldfish captured by trawl netting was 1:1.62 and their total lengths varied from 5.6-15.7 cm and total weights from 1.2-31.51 g. The length-weight relationships were estimated as W = 0.0035 L<SUP>3.301</SUP>; W = 0.0066 L<SUP>3.043</SUP>; W = 0.0073 L<SUP>3.011 </SUP>for females, for males and for all individuals, respectively. Based on the otolith readings, the age distribution of the samples varied from I to V years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated to be L<SUB> </SUB> = 16.87 cm, k<I> = </I>0.236 year <SUP>1</SUP>, t<SUB>0</SUB> = -0.887 year. Stomach contents of <I> A. laterna</I> were filled with preys of 5 major taxonomical groups: <I>Polychaeta</I>, <I>Crustacea</I>, <I>Mollusca</I>, <I>Chaetognatha</I> and <I>Teleostei</I>. A total of 11 prey groups were identified in the diets of scaldfish, with most abundant crustaceans. According to a Bray-Curtis similarity index in relation to ages, two groups are formed based on index percentage of relative importance of food item; I-II age groups constituted the first similarity and III-IV-V the second one.
    Keywords: Scaldfish;Arnoglossus laterna;age;length-weight relationships;diet composition;Izmir Bay;Aegean Sea