Abstract
The principal spawning period of sole in the northern part of the Bay of Biscay is from late February to late March. Larvae are abundant in late April. Four annual surveys revealed a great stability of both spatial and temporal distribution of the pelagic stages. The peak density of eggs frequently occurred in a well-defined limited area in the middle of a zone with sandy sediments. The pattern of the dome-shaped distribution was conserved during the larval development (30 to 40 days after fertilization). The mean temperature observed in 1986 and 1987 over the spawning area was about two degrees lower than in 1988 and 1989. Despite this difference, the time of spawning as well as egg and larval abundance appeared stable. The year-to-year differences in egg and larval abundance did not exceed a factor of two. These observations suggest a low variability in the year class strength unless an increase in abudance variability occurs during settlement and juvenile stages.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
