Tatjana Dobroslavić

On the reproduction of the Mediterranean keystone limpet Patella rustica: histological overview

The reproductive cycle of the high shore limpet Patella rustica is described based on histological analysis as the primary method of staging gonad development. Sex ratios, shell length at sexually maturity, gonad developmental stages, mean gonad index and oocyte size were investigated. Males and females were found to differ in size distribution, with females becoming more prevalent from ~28 mm onwards. The estimated shell length at which 50% of males were sexually mature was 13.1 mm. Patella rustica has only one reproductive cycle per year with spawning peak between November and December for both sexes and gonad redevelopment from January. First data on the size frequency analysis of oocyte for this species are also presented, concurring with the qualitative analysis of gonad developmental stages. This study presents updated information on the reproductive cycle of this keystone species and provides first account of the reproductive biology of P. rustica in the Adriatic Sea.

Population Dynamics and Reproduction of Mediterranean Green Crab Carcinus aestuarii in Parila Lagoon (Neretva Estuary, Adriatic Sea, Croatia) as Fishery Management Tools

AbstractPopulation structure, age, growth, mortality, and reproduction patterns of the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii were determined for the native population in Parila Lagoon (Neretva Estuary, Middle Adriatic, Croatia). The population size structure showed two distinct cohorts: (1) specimens with a carapace width of 20–34 mm and dominated by females and (2) large-sized specimens with a carapace width > 34 mm with males significantly dominating and no females found above 46 mm. Males appeared to grow faster than females in the first and second year of the life cycle. Most of the natural mortality (70.4%) occurred during the first year of life. This indicates high predation pressure from fish and other crab species on small-sized (less than 25 mm) C. aestuarii cohorts. The peak of ovigerous female occurrence occurred in January 2015. A very small percentage of ovigerous females appeared in June 2015. The 50% ovigerous size for the population was estimated at a carapace width of 29.65 mm and w...

Undergoing invasion of the fangtooth moray, Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1838) in the Adriatic Sea – evidence of post spawning reproduction stage.

The tropical Atlantic fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1838) (Muraenidae) has naturally extended its range into the Mediterranean in the last decades. The record of a third specimen of the fangtooth moray, in the coastal waters of southeast Adriatic Sea, results in listing the species as established in the Adriatic Sea. The caught specimen was male with gonads in post spawning stage, indicating successful maturation and possible reproduction of the species in these waters.