Multivariate Morphometrics in Aquaculture: A Case Study of Six Stocks of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Italy

Abstract

Multivariate morphometry was used to investigate the distinctness and interrelationships of six stocks of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A "size" component was clearly identified by multiple group principal component analysis. Canonical variate analysis computed only on the "shape" components showed that the stocks were morphometrically distinct and that the phenetic relationships based on allozymic and morphometric data are highly congruent. We therefore suggest that multivariate morphometrics could represent an appropriate and convenient tool to detect variation between strains in carp culture.