Variability in reproductive traits in the sex-changing fish, Coris julis, in the Mediterranean
Abstract
The quantity and quality of propagules, i.e., reproductive output, play a key role in the dynamics of exploited populations, with particular implications for sex-changing fish. Here, we studied for the first time the effects of maternal traits on the reproductive output of the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse Coris julis, a sequential hermaphroditic fish widely distributed in temperate marine coastal regions. The quantity of the reproductive output (batch fecundity) was significantly related to maternal size, which is of special interest in a species submitted to size-selective harvesting (recreational angling). However, egg quality (egg size) was not significantly related to any maternal factor and the spawning fraction was related to a seasonal pattern only. These results should contribute to improving estimations of the annual reproductive output and the stock assessment of this species and some implications for management are discussed.
Article Details
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ALONSO-FERNANDEZ, A., ALOS, J., & PALMER, M. (2013). Variability in reproductive traits in the sex-changing fish, Coris julis, in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean Marine Science, 15(1), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.455
- Issue
- Vol. 15 No. 1 (2014)
- Section
- Research Article
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