Reproductive patterns of bogue, Boops boops (Sparidae), in the southeastern Adriatic Sea

Abstract

The reproductive characteristics of bogue (Boops boops) in the southeastern Adriatic Sea are presented in this study. The analysis is based on 676 specimens caught by seine net from December 2011 to November 2012. Total length of females ranged from 13.3 to 29.3 cm and males from 15.1 to 26.3 cm. The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1:0.85 (χ2=4.314; P < 0.05) with a slightly higher number of females in the largest size class. Length-weight relationship for the total population indicated negative allometric growth (b=2.911). Values of the condition factor are relatively low for both sexes. Maximum values were recorded in September 1.025 for females and 1.029 for males. Gonadosomatic index and histological examination showed that the spawning season of the bogue in the Adriatic is from January to May with peak in February. Six stages of gonad development were identified: immature, undergoing maturation, ripening, ripe, spawning and spent. The monthly distribution of the different sexual maturity stages and the frequency distribution of oocyte diameter revealed that this species is a batch spawner.