Some Reproductive Aspects of Melicertus kerathurus (Forskäl, 1775) (Decapoda, Penaeidae) Inhabiting the Gulluk Bay (Aegean Sea) of Turkey
Keywords:
Melicertus kerathurus, sexual maturity, length/weight relationship, Aegean Sea.Abstract
Some reproductive aspects of Melicertus kerathurus (Forskäl, 1775), a shrimp of high commercial value, were studied in
Gulluk Bay throughout the fishing season from May 2005 to November 2005. A seasonal reproduction pattern was observed
from May to October with a high percentage of mature females occurring between May and July, when water temperature
was relatively high. During the study, a total of 700 specimens were captured: 414 (59.1%) females and 286 (40.9%) males.
The largest female and male were 22.0 cm and 17.3 cm, respectively. The minimum size attained at first maturity for females
was estimated to be 3.1 cm carapace length (CL) and 12.3 cm total length (TL). Sexual differences related to the lengthweight
relationship were noted. The onset of sexual maturity for females was estimated to be CL50% = 4.8 cm and TL50% =
17.8 cm.
