The Reproductive Biology of Forkbeard, Phycis phycis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Phycidae) in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

Year 2014, Volume: 14 Issue: 1, - , 07.07.2014

Katarina Glavi63; Tatjana Dobroslavi63; Vlasta Bartulovi63; Sanja Mati63;-skoko Branko Glamuzina

https://doi.org/10.4194/1303-2712-v14_1_18

Abstract

The forkbeard, Phycis phycis (Linnaeus, 1766), is a species widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea and although it is of great importance for fishing industry, little is known about its reproductive characteristics. This study provides first data on reproductive characteristics of this species in the Mediterranean, important for management and stock assessment. For this purpose a total of 550 individuals ranging from 19.9 to 45.8 cm in total length were collected monthly in a period of one year using trammel nets. Sex ratio of males to females was 0.62:1. The estimated length where 50% of analysed individuals were sexually mature was 30.98 cm for females and 32.98 cm males. The peak value of gonadosomatic index was recorded in November and continued throughout the December, indicating the highest spawning activity. This period is characterized by presence of oocytes with migrated nucleus and yolk coalesces in ovary and spermatozoa in testes.

Keywords

gadiform fish, spawning period, histology, gametogenesis

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