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- Title
Life history of the spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) off the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States: age, growth, and reproduction.
- Authors
Zokan, Marcus A.; Wyanski, David M.; White, D. Byron; Sedberry, George R.
- Abstract
Specimens of the spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) were obtained from fishery-dependent and fishery-independent sources off the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States from May 2005 through April 2007. A total of 491 individuals, ranging in total length (TL) from 556 to 1267 mm, were collected; age estimates ranged from 4 to 23 years, with a mean of 12.3 years. Females attained greater ages and had a significantly greater mean age than males. Length at age of males was greater than that of females at all ages but was significantly greater only at ages 9, 10, 12, and 17. In size classes with lengths greater than 900 mm TL, males were significantly heavier than females. The overall male-to-female sex ratio of 1:1.09 did not significantly differ from 1:1. All specimens were examined histologically, and none were immature. Spawning females were collected from late April through February, and estimates of spawning periodicity (24-31 d) indicate that a female could spawn up to 12 times during a spawning season. Males were in spawning condition throughout the year, with the exception of March, when all individuals were in regressing condition. Two individuals had both testicular and ovarian tissue; however, histological evidence indicates that this species is likely gonochoristic.
- Subjects
UNITED States; REPRODUCTION; SPAWNING; LIFE history theory; MORINGA; COASTS; AGE; SEX ratio
- Publication
Fishery Bulletin, 2022, Vol 120, Issue 3/4, p195
- ISSN
0090-0656
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.7755/FB.120.3-4.1