Comparative Otolith Morphology of Two Morphs of Schizopygopsis thermalis Herzenstein 1891 (Pisces, Cyprinidae) in a Headwater Lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Teleost otoliths provide a pivotal medium for studying changes in population structure and dynamics of fish. Understanding the otolith-fish size relationship intraspecies variation otolith morphology is essential accurate assessment management fishery resources. In our study, we aimed to estimate relationships between morphological measurements fish length, detect differences planktivorous benthivorous morphs Schizopygopsis thermalis Lake Amdo Tsonak Co on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Both exhibited strong linear relationships; was sexually dimorphic each morph; differed significantly shape (e.g., posterior side, region ventral otolith, circularity, surface density). addition, found that are related habitat preferences, diet, growth. Basic data biology S. poorly studied Co, study emphasizes intraspecific should be taken into consideration when differentiating stocks, populations, age classes based morphology.