MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RUDD (SCARDINIUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS) DISTRIBUTED IN ULLISHORKUL LAKE, KHOREZM REGION

This article examines the morphometric characteristics of the Scardinius erythrophthalmus (rudd) population sampled from Ullisho‘rko‘l Lake in Khorezm Region. During the study, statistical evaluation was conducted on the main morphological traits (l, c, ao, o, hc, H, fin lengths and distances) of body and head proportions in 25 individuals. The results revealed overall stability of body proportions in the population, alongside moderate phenotypic variability in the head segment (hc/c) and certain fin characteristics. The average body length of 196.04 ± 2.97 mm and the coefficient of variation for most traits remaining within the 3–9 % range confirm the morphometric homogeneity of the population. Relatively higher variability in the head region is explained by differences in ecological conditions and age groups. The obtained data provide an important scientific basis for assessing the ecological adaptability, population structure, and biological status of this species in the water body.