Naslov
Reproductive cycle and sexual maturation of the musky octopus Eledone moschata (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea

Autori
Krstulović Šifner, Svjetlana ; Vrgoč, Nedo

Izvornik
Scientia Marina (0214-8358) 73 (2009), 3; 439-447

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Eledone moschata; reproductive biology; fecundity; Adriatic Sea

Sažetak
Length-weight relationships, sex ratio, maturity patterns, reproductive outputs, fecundity and spawning period of the musky octopus Eledone moschata (Lamarck, 1798) in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea are presented for the first time. Samples were collected on monthly basis by commercial bottom trawl net between October 2001 and June 2003. A total of 1552 specimens were analysed (779 males, 764 females, 9 undetermined). The overall sex ratio was close to 1:1, but during summer males were dominant. Length-weight relationships calculated for each sex and the whole sample showed negative allometric growth (b<3). The allometric coefficient in maturing and mature individuals revealed isometric growth (b=3). The length at 50% maturity showed that males mature at smaller sizes than females. The mean total fecundity was 310&#177; ; ; 60, with mean oocytes length and width 9.39&#177; ; ; 1.99 mm and 2.57&#177; ; ; 0.72 mm, respectively. The number of spermatophores ranged from 45 to 287 with mean length 17.71&#177; ; ; 3.27 mm. Maturity indices used to analyse the maturation process showed the pattern of seasonal changes with lowest values in summer for both sexes. Results indicate that in the Adriatic Sea E. moschata has an extended reproductive season starting in autumn and ending in spring, with spawning peaks between January and April.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA