Age,growth and reproduction of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Mellah Lagoon (Eastern Algeria) |
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| Authors: | A S Boudinar L Chaoui M H Kara |
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| Affiliation: | Marine Bioresources Laboratory, Badji‐Mokhtar University – Annaba, Annaba, Algeria |
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| Abstract: | This aim of this paper was the study of the reproductive biology and growth of the sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, in Mellah Lagoon (Algeria). These data are important for the sustainable exploitation of the stocks of this species. Examined was a total of 1402 Atherina boyeri specimens captured monthly from March 2010 to March 2011, in a population with a 3‐year life cycle. Length–weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0047 L3.077 (r2 = 0.935) for males and W = 0.0047 L3.176 (r2 = 0.935) for females. Using scales, the von Bertalanffy growth function fitted to back‐calculated size‐at‐age data was Lt = 9.49 1 ? e?0.316 (t + 0.928)] for males, and Lt = 11.67 1 ? e?0.179 (t + 1.514)] for females; using otoliths this was Lt = 9.68 1 ? e?0.3 (t + 1.02)] for males, and Lt = 11.93 1 ? e?0.171 (t + 1.55)] for females. The growth performance index (Φ) indicated that males (Φscales = 3.34, Φotoliths = 3.33) grew at the same rate as females (Φscales = 3.19, Φotoliths = 3.24), with a sex ratio of 1 : 1.6 in favor of females. The reproductive season extended from February to June. Individual length at first sexual maturity was 4.20 cm for 1‐year‐old males and 4.35 cm for 1‐year‐old females. |
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