Reproductive biology of Merlangius merlangus L. (Osteichthyes, Gadidae) in the northern Adriatic Sea

Abstract

        The present paper investigates the reproductive biology of Merlangius merlangus. The reproductive period ranged November-May, based on the gonado-somatic index and gonad development in histological and anatomical terms. The length of first maturity was determined when over 50% of the sample was mature and was about 25 cm for females and 24 cm for males. No significant differences were found in sex ratio between specimens in different maturity stages.