Spawning period and size at maturity of scaldback, arnoglossus kessleri schmidt, 1915 (pleuronectiformes: bothidae), caught by beam trawl in The Black Sea, Turkey

The scaldback, Arnoglossus kessleri, is a small fish that belongs to the Bothidae family. This species is a demersal fish inhabiting sandy and muddy bottoms where it lives, generally buried in the sand. Even in Turkey, the biology of A. kessleri is unknown, and there are very few complete studies of the biology of this fish in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara. To describe the spawning period, size at maturity (Lm), and length at maximum yield per recruit (Lopt) of A. kessleri, and to assess the differences in these parameters from other populations, a total of 12 months samplings were conducted between December 2012 and November 2013 in the Black Sea. The monthly fluctuation of the GSI values showed that the spawning period was between June and September in the study area. The Lm was estimated as 5.76 cm for females and 6.03 cm for males. The Lopt was calculated from the empirical relationships between the Lopt and Lm, and it was determined as smaller than Lm for both sexes (Lopt = 5.55 cm for female and Lopt = 5.82 cm for male) and also the reproductive load, Lm/Lmax, of females was estimated as a bit (1.4%) larger than males. The results of this study were offered as biological input parameters regarded as a reference for the management of the Black Sea stocks of the scaldback species.Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi, Bilimsel Araştırma Proje Ofis

Spatial and temporal distribution of Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapod) caught by beam trawl in the southeastern Black Sea

This study was carried out to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapod) caught by beam trawl in the southeast Black Sea between December 2012 and November 2013. Sampling was executed at depths from shoreline to deeper 30 m by using a 2 m wide beam trawl from İyidere, Merkez and Çayeli stations. L. depurator was determined most intensely (1000 m2 ) at 0-5 m depth at Çayeli station and during the summer season. L. depurator started to migrate from shallow to deeper in autumn and left the coast completely in winter. It approached the shore again in the spring and spread at all depths in the summer season. In addition, while it was distributed in three different habitats according to CPUE values, the highest CPUE value was calculated at Çayeli station, which has a macroalgae structure

Empirical use of growth, mortality and temperature data for anchovy

To estimate the empirical relationships in anchovy, the instantaneous natural mortality rate (M) calculated from von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) parameters, maximum total length (Lmax) and sea surface temperature (T,°C) were reviewed in the Black Sea. Empirical equations were presented for evaluation of M data in their relationships to VBGF parameters, T and Lmax. Based on biological consideration and regressional definition, it was recommended to use following formulas for estimating of natural mortality rate of small pelagic fish such as anchovy. M = 0.3237 + 1.3174*(K) - 0.0036*(L∞) - 0.0117*(T); M = 0.2639 + 1.3676*(K) - 0.0003*(Lmax) - 0.0124*(T)

Variación sexual en el crecimiento estacional y biología reproductiva de la quisquilla Palaemon elegans (Decapoda: Palemonidae) en el sur del Mar Negro.

The seasonal growth pattern and reproductive biology of the rock pool prawn, Palaemon elegans, were studied in the southern Black Sea between February 2002 and January 2004. The seasonal von Bertalanffy growth parameters, computed from monthly length frequency distributions, were estimated as L∞ = 47.8 mm total length (TL), K = 1. 115 year-1 for females and as L∞ = 41.1 mm TL, K = 1.654 year-1 for males. The seasonal oscillation in growth rate for females (C = 0.904) was larger than it was for males (C = 0.586). The slowest period of growth corresponded to June in females and February in males. The size at sexual maturity for females (TL50) was estimated as 33.8 mm TL. Ovigerous females were recorded from March to August and juveniles appeared in the benthic population in August. The ovarian development of the rock pool prawn was most probably initiated by photoperiod, whereas embryo development was accelerated with increasing water temperatures.Se estudia el modelo de crecimiento estacional y la biología reproductiva de la quisquilla Paleamon elegans en la parte sur del Mar Negro, entre febrero de 2002 y enero de 2004. Los parámetros de crecimiento estacional por meses, calculados mediante el modelo de von Bertalanffy, se estimaron en L∞= 47.8 mm de longitud total (TL), K = 1. 115 año-1 para hembras y en L∞= 41.1 mm TL, K = 1.654 año-1 para machos. La oscilación estacional de crecimiento para hembras (C = 0.904) fue mayor que para machos (C = 0.586), y el periodo de crecimiento lento para hembras correspondió al mes de junio y el de machos en febrero. La talla de primera madurez sexual (TL50) de las hembras se estimó en 33.8 mm. Las hembras ovadas se observaron entre marzo y agosto y la mayoría de juveniles fueron reclutados en el bentos en agosto. El desarrollo ovárico parece ser iniciado por el fotoperíodo, mientras que el desarrollo embrionario se aceleró con el incremento de la temperatura del agua

Length based growth of Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) caugth by beam trawl in the south-east Black Sea

Bu çalışma Aralık 2012- Kasım 2013 ayları arasında Güney Doğu Karadeniz’de kirişli trol (beam trol) ile avlanan Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) türünün büyüme özelliklerini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. İyidere, Merkez ve Çayeli istasyonlarından 2 m genişliğinde kirişli trol kullanılarak 0-30+ derinliklerde örnekleme yapılmıştır. L. depurator türünün mevsimsel büyüme modelinde hesaplanan Rn değeri dişi için 0,766, erkek için ise 0,676 olarak, mevsimsel olmayan büyüme modeline göre hesaplanan Rn değeri de dişi için 0,434, erkek için ise 0,597 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Büyümedeki mevsimsel salınım (C) dişiler için 0,703 erkekler için 0,990 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Mevsimsel von Bertalanffy büyüme sabitleri erkek için K=1,739 yıl-1 , L∞ = 36,4 mm WP= 0, t0=-0,600, Φ´=3,363 olarak, dişiler için ise K=1,692 yıl-1 , L∞=35,0 mm, WP=4,73, t0=-0,550, Φ´=3,317 mm olarak belirlenmiştir. WP değerlerine göre erkek bireyler için büyümenin en yavaş olduğu zaman, kış ortası dişi bireyler için ise ilkbahar sonu olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu sonuçlar L. depurator türünün Karadeniz’de mevsimsel büyüme özelliği gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur.This study was carried out to determine the seasonal and non-seasonal growth characteristics of Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) species caught by beam trawl in the Southeastern Black Sea between December 2012 and November 2013. The samples were taken depth of 0-30+ m by using 2 meters width beam trawl in İyidere, Çayeli and the Merkez Station. The Rn value calculated in the seasonal growth model of L. depuratorspecies was calculated as 0.766 for the female and 0.676 for the male, whereas the Rn value, according to the non-seasonal growth model was calculated as 0.434 for the female and 0.597 for the male. The seasonal fluctuation in growth (C) was calculated as 0.703 for females and 0.990 for males. Seasonal von Bertalanffy growth constants were determined as follows: for males, K=1.739 year1 , L∞=36, 4 mm WP=0, t0=-0,600, Φ´=3.363, for females, K=1.692 year-1 , L∞=35. 0 mm WP=4.73, t0=-0,550, Φ´=3.317 mm. According to WP values, it was determined that the slowest time for male individuals to grow was mid-winter, whereas it was late spring for female individuals. These results revealed that the L. depurator species showed seasonal growth characteristics in the Black Sea

Reproduction biology of the Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) Captured from Southeast Black Sea

Bu çalışma Aralık 2012- Kasım 2013 ayları arasında Güney Doğu Karadeniz’de beam trol ile avlanan Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapod: Brachyura)’ün üreme özelliklerini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. İyidere, Merkez ve Çayeli istasyonlarından 2 m genişliğinde kirişli trol (Beam trol) kullanılarak 0-30+ metre derinliklerde örnekleme yapılmıştır. En yüksek GSI değerleri dişilerde Ağustos- Kasım aylarında, erkeklerde ise Mart ayında tespit edilmiştir. %50 cinsi olgunluk erkekler için 32,28 mm (KG) dişiler için ise 28,19 mm (KG) olarak hesaplanmıştır. Bu çalışma sonuçları L. depurator türü üzerinde yapılacak daha sonraki çalışmalar için önemli bir kaynak olacaktırThis study was carried out to determine the reproductive characteristic of Liocarcinus depurator (Crustacea: Decapod: Brachyura) captured from South-eastern Black Sea between December 2012 and November 2013. The samples were taken at depth of 0-30+ m by using 2 meters width beam trawl in Iyidere, Cayeli and the Centre Stations. The maximum GSI values were observed between August and November in females and in March in males. 50% sexual maturity length was calculated as 32.28 mm (KG) for males and 28.19 mm (KG) for females. The results of this study will be an important knowledge for further studies on the L. depurator species

Seasonal changes in condition factor and weight-length relationship of tiger perch, Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) (Family-Terapontidae) collected from Korangi Fish Harbour, Karachi, Pakistan

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of seasonal variation on condition factors (CFs) and weight - length relationships (WLRs) of Tiger Perch, Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) collected from landing centre at Korangi fish harbour during January to December 2014. A total of 224 specimens were collected during different seasons such as pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The results showed that T. jarbua has negative allometric growth characteristics in premonsoon, positive allometric growth in monsoon, and isometric growth character in postmonsoon season (Pauly’ t test, P > 0.05). The values of r are different from zero (P < 0.05), indicated that T. jarbua has higher correlation in WLRs equations. Moreover, to compare the results calculated from the present study with previous studies, log a values were plotted against values of b, which proved to be consistent with previous studies data for T. jarbua. CFs for T. jarbua was estimated to be the highest value in pre-monsoon (mean: 2.6994±0.0649), followed by post-monsoon (mean: 0.7875±0.0139) and monsoon (mean: 0.4903±0.0105) season. One way ANOVA test showed that seasonal significant differences were found in condition factor of T. jarbua at P < 0.05

Effects of seasons on condition factor and weight - length relationship in Dussumier's halfbeak, Hyporhamphus dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1847), (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae) from Karachi coast in the Arabian Sea

A total of (n=114) H. dussumieri were collected during monsoon (August and September), post monsoon (October and November) seasons in 2011. Mean total length of females (t test: P = 2.5663E-12) and males (t test: P = 1.4766E-08) between two seasons were significantly different. Similarly, mean total length (t test: P = 9.8887E-20) and Size-frequency distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov two sample test: d = 0.82716, P = 3.41312E-15) were significantly different between monsoon and postmonsoon for combined sexes. The slope (b) of WLRs regression lines for monsoon except for male were significantly different from the isometric growth curve slope (b = 3). Therefore, the slope of WLRs regression lines for postmonsoon by combined sex and both female and male were significantly lower than the isometric growth curve slope (b = 3) suggesting negative allomnetric growth in post-monsoon season

First records of anomalously white harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Turkish seas with a global review

Dede, Ayhan/0000-0002-7712-615X; YESILCICEK, TUNCAY/0000-0002-3236-8227; Tonay, Arda M./0000-0003-2718-9328; Kose, Ozay/0000-0002-3565-160XWOS: 000320413100012Three anomalously white harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were reported in Turkish Seas. One of them was bycaught on 19 June 2011 in bottom gill nets off the eastern coast of the Turkish Black Sea. the second one was observed four times in May and early June 2012 in the Istanbul Strait. the last one was stranded alive on 7 July 2012 in the Istanbul Strait. Records (published and unpublished) of anomalously white harbour porpoises in the world were reviewed. in total, 34 records were found from the world seas: the Black Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, North Atlantic Ocean and North Eastern Pacific Ocean. According to these records, three patterns of pigmentation were suggested.Recep Tayym Erdogan UniversityRecep Tayyip Erdogan University [BAP 2010.103 03 2]; Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University [BAP 184761, BAP 27942]The authors thank S. Berrow, O K. Didockson, K. Flannery, PG H Evans, A. Gob, Z. Gunelidze, I Hasselmeier, L Hutchings, W Keener, C.C. Kinze, L Morison, S. Pezeril, D. Quigley, K Robinson, D. Schulte, R Sears, A. U for observation data and old photos, A. Beird for photos, A.E. Kutukcu for video in Istanbul Strait, E. Danyer and I Aytemiz for necropsy report, H Bayar for necropsy assistance, 13 Topaloglu for photos of case 3 and logistic, S. Akmermer, K Akmermer and U. Akmermer for help in Size, L Eadie, T de Haas, N. Tonay and Kirecburnu's fishermen in Istanbul, Coast Guard for cooperation in IU/TUDAV Cetacean Stranding Network; V. Onar and P.S C. Turetken for help in fixation case 3, P Korkmazel, K. Guzey/ANIMA for colour grading and video time warping, B. Ozturk, P Gol'din and D Fertl for their valuable advises; A A Ozturk, R. Bilgin, C. Torso for their contributions during editing Case I study was supported by Recep Tayym Erdogan University, Scientific Research Project (BAP 2010.103 03 2). Case 2 study was supported by Istanbul University, Scientific Research Pealed (BAP 184761 Case 3 preserving and exhibit was provided by Istanbul University, Scientific Research Project (BAP 27942

Seasonal variation of condition factor and weight - length relationship in Thryssa hamiltonii Gray, 1835 (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) collected from Balochistan coast in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan

Present study deals with the effects of seasonal variation on condition factor (CF) and weight - length relationships (WLRs) of Thryssa hamiltonii, sampled during pre and post- monsoon seasons in 2011 from the Balochistan coast of the Arabian Sea. The results showed that T. hamiltonii has isometric growth characteristics in pre and post-monsoon. The value of b was calculated as 3.2364 in pre-monsoon, as 3.0499 in post-monsoon season and as 3.1346 in combined data with not significantly different from 3 (Pauly’ t test, P > 0.05) Moreover, the mean CF was calculated between 0.13 - 0.60 (mean: 0.26±0.010) in pre-monsoon season and between 0.19 - 0.90 (mean: 0.39±0.017) in post-monsoon season. The calculated CF showed statistically difference among the pre-monsoon, post-monsoon and combined data (One way ANOVA, P = 5.47E-08)