Fariborz Ghojoghi - Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr branch
Mehran Esfaniani - Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr branch
Soheil Eagderi - Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O. Box ۴۳۱۴, Karaj

This study was conducted to compare the morphilogical traite of Kutum in coastalarea of southern Caspian using landmark-based geometric morphometric (GM)approach. A total number of 150 specimens (30 specimens from each region) fromBandar-e-turkmen, Mahmoud abad, Kelarabad, Bandar-e-kiashahr and Talesh coastsin southwest Caspian Sea were sampled. The left side of specimens werephotographed. Then 17 landmark-points were defined and digitized on 2-D imagesusing TpsDig2 software. Landmark data after GPA, analyzed using multivariateanalysis including PCA, CVA/Manova and cluster analysis. The results of clusteranalysis divided the populations into three groups including (1) Talesh, (2) Kelarabadand (3) the other populations. Based on the results Kelarabad population due to anelongated anal fin base and Talesh population by having an anterior position of caudaland anal fins were distinguishable from others. These two populations inhabit in areas(west Guilan and west Mazandran provinces) in which the fries of Kutum from stockenhancement programme are released.

Geometric Morphology, Kutum, Caspian Sea