Biological factors affecting the swimbladder volume of sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

Variations in the absolute and relative swimbladder volume of sardine (Sardina pilchardus W.), were examined in relation to fish length, gonads and stomach volume, and lipid content. Fifty specimens were frozen in liquid nitrogen and sliced with a cryo-microtome. From the slices, volume estimates of the organs were obtained through computer reconstruction. Variations in absolute and relative swimbladder volume in relation to fish length and the aforementioned organs' volume and lipid contents were estimated by means of multiple regression analysis. The relative importance of these variables in the calculations of the swimbladder volume for different physiological conditions of the fish was also assessed. The results revealed that the volume can be estimated from two distinct models: the first for the reproductive and the second for the non-reproductive period. The non-reproductive period model is in agreement with the well-known positive correlation of target strength with fish log length. However, during the reproductive period the relative size of gonads and relative lipid content gradually become more important than length.