Maturity, reproductive cycle and fecundity of common torpedo, Torpedo torpedo (Chondrichthyes, Torpedinidae) from the Lagoon of Bizerte (Northeastern Tunisia, central Mediterranean)

Common torpedo Torpedo torpedo (Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea, especially in southern and northern regions. The species is known throughout the Tunisian coast and entered brackish areas, such as the northeastern Lagoon of Bizerte, where it is commonly captured. Investigations conducted in this latter area showed that males and females sexually matured between 234–285 mm and 245–280 mm total length (TL), respectively. The largest male and female were 403 mm and 435 mm TL, respectively and weighed 721.5 and 1273.5 g, respectively. There was a not significant relationship total mass versus TL between males and females. Conversely, the relationship of liver mass versus TL significantly differed between sexes. The diameter of the largest yolky oocytes ranged between 43 and 47 mm (mean 45.08 ± 0.98)}, while the mass ranged between 29.5 and 37.4 g (mean 31.79 ± 2.20). Near term embryos ranged from 19.34 to 31.28 mm TL (mean: 24.60 ± 4.12) and weighed from 3.9 to 9.0 g (mean 5.97 ± 1.41). Ovarian fecundity ranged from 4 to 36 (mean = 11.60 ± 5.96). Uterine fecundity or litter size ranged from 3 to 13 (mean = 6.36 ± 2.67). Both fecundities showed a positive relationship with TL of females. A chemical balance of development based on mean dry masses of yolky oocytes and near-term embryos was 0.75 and suggested that T. torpedo could be considered as a pure lecithotrophic species. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) calculated for females presented significant higher values than those of males. HSI values of males significantly differed differences between juveniles, sub-adults and adults, and in females, HSI values were not significantly different between juveniles and sub-adults and significantly different between sub-adults and adults. The values of male GSI increased with TL of specimens; additionally, they showed significant differences between juveniles and subadults, but not between sub-adults and adults. Monthly mean values of adult male and female HSI significantly varied throughout the year. Monthly mean of females GSI showed significant changes especially from January to April, due to a high vitellogenic activity, GSI decreased from May to August, during this period all yolky oocytes were ovulated, then GSI increased progressively from September. The reproductive cycle lasted one year approximately and gestation period 4 months, while near-term females were captured in August. Vitellogenesis did not proceed in parallel with embryonic development: during ovarian vitellogenic activity, the uteri were empty and in an appearent resting phase, conversely during gestation, the ovaries did not exhibit an appearent activity, by contrast other specimens exhibited a vitellogenic activity during gestation. With special regard to the latter case, it remains difficult to state if these small yolky oocytes were not ovulated, or if they were new oocytes produced immediately after ovulation, both hypothesis remaining suitable.