Age and growth, reproduction and diet of a sublittoral population of the rock goby Gobius paganellus (Teleostei, Gobiidae)

Azevedo, José M. N.; Simas, Ana M. V.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/338

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Authors

Azevedo, José M. N.

Simas, Ana M. V.

Abstract(s)

Basic biological information for a sublittoral population of the rock goby Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758 is presented based on a 2-year study involving 1680 specimens. The length-weight relationship was given by TW = 0.0089 * TL^3,163 (where TW= total weight in g; TL= total length in mm). Age at length data were inferred by modal analysis of the monthly length-frequency distributions. The parameters of the fitted Von Bertalanffy growth equation (with seasonal component, birth date on the 1st of January) were L1 = 13.8 cm; K = 0.73 yr^-1; to = -0.22 yr; C = 0.95; W = 0.07. This growth rate is much higher than that described for northern Europe populations (where K is about 0.3 yr^-1) and is probably associated with a shorter life span. Macroscopic examination of the gonads, and analysis of the monthly values of the gonadosomatic index, indicated that reproduction occurs in winter and early spring, with a maximum in February and March, when water temperatures are lowest. Individuals become sexually mature around 6-7 cm TL, a size that can be reached in less than 1 year. By contrast, individuals of this goby in the British Isles mature in their second or third year. Stomach contents were mainly small benthic invertebrates, predominantly crustaceans.

Description

Keywords

Fish Biology Length-weight Relationship Length-frequency Distributions Modal Analysis Growth Rate Life Span Gobiidae Gobius paganellus

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/338

Citation

Azevedo, J.M.N. & A.M.V. Simas (2000). "Age and growth, reproduction and diet of a sublittoral population of the rock goby Gobius paganellus (Teleostei, Gobiidae)". «Hydrobiologia», 440(1-3): 129-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1004102723234.