ALLOZYME IDENTIFICATION OF WRASSES SPECIES (OSTEICHTHYES: PERCIFORMES: LABRIDAE) ALONG THE BULGARIAN BLACK SEA COAST

All wrasses species, described for the Bulgarian Black Sea coast are listed in IUCN Red List of threatened species with last concern (LC) category. A comparison between five wrasses species along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast was carried out on the basis of allozyme analyses. One non-enzymatic and five enzyme systems were used as genetical markers for species identification. The mobility of electrophoretical patterns of LDH*B locus was applied as marker for distinguishing on genus Symphodus (Crenilabrus) and Ctenolabrus. From wrasses species analysed only goldsinny wrasse belongs to different genus Ctenolabrus, which was proved with genetic data. Taxonomic investigations based on genetic analyses will contribute to biodiversity protection, restoration and conservation of wrasses populations. The preliminary data, based on the number of samples analysed, showed that S. tinca and C. rupestris have rare distribution along Bulgarian Black Sea coast and could be proposed as vulnerable species.