POLYMORPHISM OF STELLATE STURGEON (ACIPENSER STELLATUS) COLORING IN THE VOLGA SUB-POPULATION OF THE CASPIAN SEA
The article presents types of stellate sturgeon coverlet coloring, divided into three gradations: white, gray and black. The causes of differences in coverlet pigmentation of specimens in different parts of the Caspian Sea are determined. The paper gives the brief description of the Caspian Sea sediments, which serve as winter feeding grounds for stellate sturgeon. It is found out, that the type of coloring correlates with the intensity of a spring spawning migration and qualitative characteristics of specimens on the facial area of the fishing ground “Chkalovskaja” (Volga River).