engleski

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF PAGELLUS ACARNE (RISSO, 1827) FROM THE EASTERN ADRIATIC SEA

Reproductive cycle of Pagellus acarne from the eastern Adriatic Sea was investigated on the basis of 800 specimens collected in the period from June 2007 until May of 2008. This species inhabits coastal regions of the eastern Adriatic Sea although larger specimens can be found at greater depths far from the coast. It is a protoandric hermaphroditic species and sex reversing specimens were found in relatively broad length interval from 16, 6 cm to 25, 5 cm. Sexual maturity (L50) is attained at length of 16, 6 cm for males. Due to hermaphroditism, estimated L50 for females was based on intersection point of male to female ratio with value of 19 cm. Peak of yearly variation of gonadosomatic index was observed in September with peak of presence of spawning individuals in October. Histological analysis of gonads revealed presence of ovotestes with functional male and inactive female gonads, functional females with regression of testes and female gonads without testicular tissue. Additionally, hermaphroditic specimens with resting female and male parts were also detected. Fecundity analysis was based on 21 prespawning female gonads (19-26 cm) and number of eggs varied between 16 472 – 67 439.

sequential hermaphroditism, fecundity, maturity, histology

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