Insights Into the Ecomorphology of the Blue Shark (<i>Prionace glauca</i>) in the Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea).

ABSTRACT: The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is a widely distributed pelagic predator that undergoes ontogenetic morphological changes that reflect ecological and functional adaptations. Investigating this aspect could provide powerful tools for elucidating the patterns of trait variation and their significance in relation to environmental conditions. This study explores morphometric variation and its ecomorphological implications in the Mediterranean blue shark population using linear and geometric morphometric analyses. A total of 119 specimens (64 females, 55 males), spanning from juvenile (total lengths [TLs] 85.4-149.8 cm in females and 82.9-121.2 cm in males) to adult (TLs 150.4-333.1 cm in females and 133.2-206.8 cm in males) stages, were analysed through a set of 30 linear measurements.

SUBMITTER: Carbonara P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12597986 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature