Journal article
Sexual maturity cycle and spawning of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in the Davis Strait
Section for Coastal Ecology, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark1
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark2
Section for Public Sector Consultancy, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark3
Section for Management Systems, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark4
Female sexual maturation cycle and the main spawning time of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in the Davis Strait were studied through regularly collected samples during 1 year starting in spring 2003. Samples were collected from the southern slope of the Davis Strait Ridge between Canada and Greenland in the depth range 1000-1500 m.
Female sexual maturation was described using different approaches: gonado-somatic index, visual macroscopic maturity stage index, histological microscopic maturity index and oocyte diameter measurements. A significant increase in the gonado-somatic index was seen from September onwards until February with a maximum estimated value of 18%.
The proportion of mature fish increased from December until March. At the same time, the proportion of females with a low gonado-somatic index also increased from February, indicating that spawning had occurred and females were recovering. Oocyte diameter distribution revealed a leading cohort development during autumn through to December to February.
A coupling between sexual maturity and fish condition was seen for females in maturing condition indicating a steady build up of stored energy in the liver from June to November.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2010 |
| Pages: | 211-226 |
| ISSN: | 10958649 and 00221112 |
| Types: | Journal article |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02671.x |
| ORCIDs: | Boje, Jesper |
Animals Canada Female Flounder Greenland Oocytes Ovary Reproduction Sexual Maturation
