Sexual Maturity and Reproductive Patterns of European Hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Merlucciidae) from the Sea of Marmara, Turkey

Abstract

The study deals with the sexual maturity and reproductive patterns of European hake Merluccius merluccius (L.) from the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Totally, 777 specimens were sampled monthly between October 2014 and September 2015. Total lengths of all sampled individuals ranged from 10.4 cm to 55.3 cm. The sex ratio (male/female) was 0.56. A total of 341 ovaries were obtained and histologically examined to determine the reproductive traits and developmental stages of oocytes. The gonadosomatic index values for females revealed two main (November and December) and one minor (June) spawning period. By applying an empirical expression and using the maximum lengths in the sample, the length at the onset of sexual maturity for females and males was estimated at 29.9 cm and 22.5 cm, respectively.