Biological aspects of the common torpedo, Torpedo torpedo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Elasmobranchii: Torpedinidae), in the central Mediterranean Sea (Sicily, Ionian Sea)

Abstract

Data on the biology of Torpedo torpedo from the Ionian Sea are absent, and in the Mediterranean Sea, most of the published works focus on the reproductive biology of the species and are not recent. Several biological and ecological aspects of Torpedo torpedo were investigated between March and May 2019 on the coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea) between Avola and Marzamemi. Morphological (disc width–weight relationships, total length-disc width relationships), population (size-frequency distribution, sex ratio, fecundity), and ecological (habitat, diet) characteristics were studied. Stomach content analysis revealed that T. torpedo is a generalist piscivore, feeding on a wide variety of benthic and benthopelagic fish: Levin’s index value (Bi) was 0.82. The analysis of the sex ratio showed a higher proportion of males vs. females. Females were, on average, larger than males. Fecundity showed a positive correlation with body size, with the smallest mature female being 14.9 cm in disc width and 24.8 cm in total length. The ovarian fecundity ranged from 3 to 20 eggs. In the study area, both adults and juveniles of the species were caught in considerable numbers with trammel nets. We also provide data from some specimens of Torpedo marmorata caught during the study period.