Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea

Cemalettin Şahin; Yusuf Ceylan; Erhan Öztürk

doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1685714

Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea

Abstract

Samples of whiting (M. merlangus) (n = 1545) were collected using bottom trawl in the southern Black Sea during 2017–2018 and were subjected to reproductive biology assessments. These assessments included the gonadosomatic index, macroscopic and microscopic gonad phases, oocyte diameter distributions, batch fecundity, microscopic analysis of oocytes, and histology. The assessment results revealed a significant difference in sex ratio the samples (female: 877, male: 668). Analyses of the gonadosomatic index (GSI), along with macroscopic and microscopic phase evaluations, indicated that the most intense reproductive periods occurred in May and November, with two peaks observed during the studied year. Examination of oocyte structures and diameter distributions in histological sections taken from the ovaries each month showed that the whiting in the southern Black Sea exhibited multi-spawning behavior and had determinate fecundity. Additionally, the monthly batch fecundity (FB) and relative batch fecundity (FBR) of spawning whiting were calculated throughout the year. The average FB was 17823 ± 21,353 hydrated oocytes, while the FBR was 243 ± 143 hydrated eggs per gram. The length at first maturity for males and females were 12.80 cm and 13.72 cm, respectively. In light of the study's results, it is recommended to develop a new fisheries management strategy aimed at contributing to the sustainability of whiting stocks in the Black sea. This strategy should consider the most efficient spawning periods identified in this study, as well as other reproductive strategies, and focus on preserving larger individuals that can enhance egg production within the stocks.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research supported by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, BAP (project number: FYL-2018-868).

Project Number

FYL-2018-868

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval is not required for this study because “as only deceased specimens collected. No animals were sacrificed for research purposes”.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Aquaculture and Fisheries (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Cemalettin Şahin
0000-0002-7924-3536
Türkiye

Yusuf Ceylan ^*
0000-0002-7513-4957
Türkiye

Erhan Öztürk
0000-0002-7734-5221
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 25, 2025

Submission Date

April 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 35 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1685714

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA34YU58UW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Şahin, C., Ceylan, Y., & Öztürk, E. (2025). Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 35(4), 614-628. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1685714

AMA

1.Şahin C, Ceylan Y, Öztürk E. Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea. YYU J AGR SCI. 2025;35(4):614-628. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1685714

Chicago

Şahin, Cemalettin, Yusuf Ceylan, and Erhan Öztürk. 2025. “Reproductive Pattern and Length at First Sexual Maturity of the Whiting (Merlangius Merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 35 (4): 614-28. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1685714.

EndNote

Şahin C, Ceylan Y, Öztürk E (December 1, 2025) Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 35 4 614–628.

IEEE

[1]C. Şahin, Y. Ceylan, and E. Öztürk, “Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea”, YYU J AGR SCI, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 614–628, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.29133/yyutbd.1685714.

ISNAD

Şahin, Cemalettin - Ceylan, Yusuf - Öztürk, Erhan. “Reproductive Pattern and Length at First Sexual Maturity of the Whiting (Merlangius Merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 35/4 (December 1, 2025): 614-628. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1685714.

JAMA

1.Şahin C, Ceylan Y, Öztürk E. Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea. YYU J AGR SCI. 2025;35:614–628.

MLA

Şahin, Cemalettin, et al. “Reproductive Pattern and Length at First Sexual Maturity of the Whiting (Merlangius Merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 35, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 614-28, doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1685714.

Vancouver

1.Cemalettin Şahin, Yusuf Ceylan, Erhan Öztürk. Reproductive pattern and length at first sexual maturity of the whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Nordmann, 1840) in the Black Sea. YYU J AGR SCI. 2025 Dec. 1;35(4):614-28. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1685714