Asymmetry in some morphological characters of Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) (Leiognathidae) collected from the Sea of Oman

Asymmetry analysis was conducted on four morphometric bilateral characters and one meristic character of Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) collected from the Sea of Oman at the city of Muscat. The results showed that the level of asymmetry of the characters of preorbital distance and head length is higher than that of the rest of the characters studied. Increasing asymmetry values with fish length were noted in preorbital and postorbital distances and head length. This might be the result of incomplete development. The possible cause of asymmetry in this species is discussed in relation to different pollutants and their presence in the area.