LAUSR

Development of annual increments on the otoliths (sagittae) of Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii, as well as the sagitta shape and bilateral asymmetry, is analyzed in the populations from four water bodies of Central Russia: (1) the lake near Maslovka village (Nizhny Novgorod oblast), (2) Sima Pit, (3) Upper Sharapovskii Pit, and (4) Lower Sharapovskii Pit (Moscow oblast). The diameter (along the dorsoventral axis) of the first annual zone is 0.8–1.5 mm. The highest growth rate (29 mm per year on average) and the largest individuals (up to 245 mm TL) are registered in population one. Based on two sagitta shape indices (height to length ratio and ellipticity), a directed bilateral asymmetry is observed in population one. Based on the variation of fluctuated asymmetry, distinct differences between the populations are absent. The elliptic Fourier analysis shows that population one differs from populations two, three, and four in sagitta shape. A small interpopulation variation of sagitta morphology is revealed.