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Growth pattern of the endemic Neretvan roach, Rutilus basak (Heckel, 1843) in the Hutovo Blato wetlands
Author(s) -
MatićSkoko S.,
Tutman P.,
Dulčić J.,
Prusina I.,
Đođo Ž.,
Pavličević J.,
Glamuzina B.
Publication year - 2011
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.1439-0426.2010.01593.x
Subject(s) - biology , rutilus , allometry , reproduction , population , wetland , zoology , fishery , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
Summary The growth pattern of the endemic Neretvan roach, Rutilus basak from the Hutovo Blato wetlands was analyzed. A total of 441 specimens ranging from 6.0 to 21.7 cm TL were obtained by electro fishing between December 2007 and November 2008. The male:female ratio for all fish combined was 0.34 : 1.00 but changed across length classes. The spawning period extended from February to April, with a peak in the first half of March. Maximum observed age was 10 years. Predominance of age classes 1–5 in the catch (77.0% of individuals) was noted. The length–weight relationship showed a positive allometric growth ( b = 3.321; R 2 = 0.957). Parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation were: L ∞ = 20.201 cm; K = 0.257 per year; t 0 = −1.554 year; R 2 = 0.977. This study revealed that R. basak invests energy in reproduction rather than in body size and thus has a relatively fast growth, short life span and precocious maturity. Moreover, elementary biological population parameters are provided that can be used for conservation purposes.