Latitudinal gradients in onset date, onset temperature and duration of spawning of roach

Abstract

Onset date, onset temperature and duration of spawning of roach Rutilus rutilus were related to latitude (40-66 degrees N) and altitude (-1-825 m) based on data from the literature over the whole geographic distribution of roach. Onset date was positively and duration was negatively correlated with latitude, while no correlation was found between onset temperature and latitude. No significant correlations were found between any of the analysed variables of spawning and altitude, probably because most of the analysed populations were below 300 m altitude.