Growth and reproduction of brown comber (Serranus hepatus Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Aegean Sea, Turkey

Authors: OZAN SOYKAN, AKIN TÜRKER İLKYAZ, GÜLNUR METİN, HASAN TUNCAY KINACIGİL

Abstract: The growth and reproduction of brown comber (Serranus hepatus Linnaeus, 1758) were studied using specimens collected from the central Aegean Sea between July 2004 and June 2007. A total of 2410 specimens were analyzed, and of those, 2290 individuals were mature and 120 individuals were juvenile. Analyses covered all individuals because the species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. The length-weight relationship was determined as W = 0.013L^{3.11}, indicating a positive allometric growth for all samples. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L_{\infinity} = 13.19 cm, k = 0.252 y^{-1}, and t_o = -0.630 y, and the infinite weight (W_{\infinity}) was calculated as 39.38 g. The growth performance index (\varphi') of the stock was calculated as 1.642. The first reproduction length was found to be 7.76 cm, corresponding to 3 years of age. The spawning period of the species was determined between May and October.

Keywords: Brown comber, Serranus hepatus, age, growth, reproduction, first reproduction length, central Aegean Sea

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