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Reproductive biology of the freshwater goby Knipowitschia croatica Mrakovčić, Kerovec, Mišetić & Schneider 1996 (Actinopterygii, Gobiidae)
Author(s) -
Zanella D.,
Mrakovčić M.,
Zanella L. N.,
Miletić M.,
Mustafić P.,
Ćaleta M.,
Marčić Z.
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.1439-0426.2011.01802.x
Subject(s) - biology , actinopterygii , reproductive biology , goby , fecundity , sexual maturity , pomatoschistus , endangered species , zoology , freshwater fish , fishery , gonadosomatic index , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , habitat , population , embryo , sociology , embryogenesis
Summary The reproductive biology and gonadogenesis cycle of the Vrgorac goby, Knipowitschia croatica is described [Conservation of Endangered Freshwater Fish in Europe, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel]. The species displays sexual dimorphism during the spawning period. Sexual maturity is achieved at an early age, with 50% of males and females sexually mature at total lengths of 40–45 mm. Fecundity of gravid females ranged from 188 to 593 eggs, with an egg diameter of 0.22–1.11 mm. Though the extended spawning period lasts from March to November, the highest intensity is observed from April to September. A comparison is made of the reproductive biology of this species with other sand goby species of the genera Knipowitschia and Pomatoschistus .