Fecundity of blotched picarel, Spicara maena L. (Teleostei: Centracanthidae), in the eastern central Adriatic Sea

Abstract

        We studied the fecundity of Spicara maena L. collected in the eastern central Adriatic Sea at the peak of the spawning period (from 16 September to 10 October). Due to protogyny, females up to a total length of 20.0 cm were observed. Absolute fecundity varied from a minimum of 42,140 eggs for two-year-olds to a maximum of 80,509 for three-year-olds. The mean oocyte diameter ranged 1.68-1.92 mm. The relationships between absolute fecundity and total weight and length of the females were best described by the following exponential equations: F_l = 33.4 TL^2.6 (r² = 0.933) and F_w = 560.2W_t + 15874 (r² = 0.693). There was no significant correlation between oocyt size and maternal size.