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Maturity, spawning and sex ratio of pike perch, Stizostedion luciopevca (L.), in two Bulgarian reservoirs as compared to other European habitats
Author(s) -
RaikovaPetrova G.,
Živkov M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0426.1998.tb00610.x
Subject(s) - pike , perch , biology , sex ratio , sexual maturity , fishery , maturity (psychological) , percidae , fish <actinopterygii> , range (aeronautics) , zoology , ecology , population , demography , psychology , developmental psychology , materials science , sociology , composite material
Summary The reproductive biology of pike perch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), was studied in two Bulgarian reservoirs; results were compared with data from other water bodies within its natural European range. Age at first maturity, onset of spawning, and sex ratio were determined and found to be different between the populations of the two reservoirs. Fish from the cooling reservoir of a power station matured earlier at smaller sizes because of elevated temperatures; this also resulted in an increased proportion of older males. It is suggested that age at first maturity is determined by growth rate and temperature. Temperatures alone seem not to limit the distribution or onset of spawning within the European range. The reasons for a shift in sex ratio among older fish in some populations are discussed.