Stock Discrimination of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758) through the Examination of Otolith Morphology and Genetic Structure

Reliable stock identification constitutes an integral component of effective fishery management. Current methods for the putative units comprise analysis both phenotypic and genetic variability. The present study examined spatial variation in otolith morphology (shape asymmetry) composition 395 wild-caught Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) specimens, collected from Aegean Ionian Seas (eastern Mediterranean) between 2014–2018. degree scale regeneration (SRD, % regenerated scales) was used as indicator to assess potential presence aquaculture escapees samples. Otolith shape asymmetry analyses showed a discrimination northwestern populations. Genetic nine microsatellite markers revealed higher levels wild compared with samples obtained farms. Despite absence structure among populations, low but statistically significant differentiation found reared fish field. SRD considered detecting that may have escaped either early or late rearing phases.