A blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) individual with partial albino: A case report

WOS: 000496712200011In this study, a partial albino finding of a blue crab specimen sampled in Koycegiz Lagoon (Mugla, Turkey) is presented. the carapace part of the individual was in normal colour and pseudo-albinism was observed in most of the extremities of the specimen.Ege University Scientific Research Project fund (BAP project)Ege University [16-SUF-010]The present study was sponsored by Ege University Scientific Research Project fund (BAP project no 16-SUF-010). We would like to thank Arif YALILI, who is the chief of DALKO Fisheries Cooperative, for his assistance and its related members

Catching Performance and Catching Efficiency of Siliconized Baits in Handline Fishery

The present study investigated the catching performance and catching efficiency of natural mud shrimp (alive) (Upogebia pusilla), siliconized mud shrimp and siliconized pellet in handline fishing. The trials were performed in Kiyikislacik Village of Mugla province. The main body of the handline is empty set 0.50 mm, leader and snood are empty set 0.27-0.30 mm, the snood length and distance are 10 cm and 20 cm, respectively. Each handline has 3 hooks and the hook type is 4 no straight. Catches from natural mud shrimp, siliconized shrimp and siliconized pellet bait retained separately, sorted by species and weighed as. 0.01 g sensitivity and measured as the total length. Totally 590 individuals from 30 different species in total were caught including; 28 bony fish (93.33%), and 2 cephalopods (0.66%). While natural mud shrimp captured the 50.7% of fish, 44.7% and 4.6% were caught with siliconized mud shrimp and siliconized pellet, respectively. CPUE values of natural mud shrimp, siliconized shrimp and silicon pellet were calculated as 1.57 n/h, 1.38 n/h and 0.14 n/h, respectively. In addition, YPUE values were determined as 121.84 g/ h, 137.73 g/h and 7.62 g/h for natural mud shrimp, siliconized shrimp and silicon pellet, respectively. Despite the fact that the number of individuals that a live mud shrimp catch in a unit of time is high, it was found out that the weight is more in a unit of time when silicone mud shrimp is used. It was concluded that using of siliconized mud shrimp has a high capacity of catching performance and catching efficiency and can be used as bait when natural mud shrimp cannot be utilized as alive or unable to be supplied, due to the weather conditions and time restrictions.Ege University Scientific Research Projects Fund (BAP Project) [2015/SUF/025]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [TOVAG 215O241]The present study was sponsored by the Ege University Scientific Research Projects Fund (BAP Project No: 2015/SUF/025) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project No: TOVAG 215O241). We would like to thank both institutions for their support

Effects of blast fishing to some physico-chemical parameters of seawater

WOS: 000454999600006The goal of this work was to study the influence of dynamite used for blast fishing from July 2006 to July 2007 on marine applications and determine the physico-chemical parameters of seawater before and after blasting off the coast of Hekim Island located in Izmir Bay, Turkey. Field applications consisted of four steps; these were blast operations, sampling of water quality and substratum and laboratory analysis. Dynamite, which was made from artificial fertilizer, sulfur and diesel, was blown up using a fuse and detonator at 2 to 3 meters' depth in three different substratum (sea grass, sandy and rocky). According to the results of CTD measurements, temperature and salinity values did not change significantly. Before blasting, dissolved oxygen level was measured as 12.63 mg.L-1 at pH 8.29, while dissolved oxygen was measured as 13.32 mg.L-1 at pH 8.32 after the blasting. Results obtained from the present study showed that the blasts l fatally affected many fish species in a large-scale area and this effect occurred due to fish's skeletons being damaged by the high pressure. However, changes in physicochemical parameter levels were found to be too low to cause damage to the fish.Science and Technology Center, Ege University (EBILTEM project) [2006/BIL/019]The present study was carried out with financial support from the Science and Technology Center, Ege University (EBILTEM project no 2006/BIL/019)

Growth and reproduction of the Mediterranean mud shrimp Upogebia pusilla (Petagna, 1792) in the central Aegean Sea, Turkey

WOS: 000545767000001The aim of this study was to determine the growth and reproduction characteristics of Upogebia pusilla in the central Aegean Sea. This species is widely used by the commercial and amateur bait fisheries in Turkey. A total of 1949 U. pusilla individuals were taken from Izmir Bay between April 2014 and March 2015. Their total length ranged between 16.96 and 80.32 mm (6.51 and 26.56 mm CL) with a mean value +/- SE of 52.41 +/- 0.25 mm (17.54 +/- 0.08 mm CL). the female:male ratio was 1:0.99 (P > 0.05) and males can grow larger than females. For all individuals, the equations CL = 0.317 x TL + 0.951 (R-2 = 0.962) and W = 0.015 x TL3.11 (R-2 = 0.978) described the total length-carapace length and total length-total weight relatioships, respectively. the Von Bertalanffy growth equation for females was CLt = 26.08 x (1 - e(-0.487 x (t + 0.0048))) (phi' = 2.52), while for males it was CLt = 29.12 x (1 - e(-0.424 x (t + 0.0053))) (phi' = 2.56). the relationship between the fecundity and the total length was found to be F = 6.654 x 10(-7) x TL(3.9)0 (R-2 = 0.919). Spawning occurred at three different seasons: between February and April, in June, and in August. the relationship between the total length and sexual maturity was found to be PL = Phi x (-11.449 + 0.288 x TL) (R-2 = 0.926) for females, while it was P-L = Phi x (-10.399 + 0.191 x TL) (R-2 = 0.878) for males. First maturity lengths were estimated as 50.11 mm for females and 54.54 mm for males, and the first reproduction age for both sexes was found to be II+

Growth and reproduction of large-scaled gurnard (Lepidotrigla cavillone Lacepede, 1801) (Triglidae) in the central Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean

WOS: 000285279500005Age, growth, and reproduction of the large-scaled gurnard were studied in the central Aegean Sea to provide fisheries managers with the essential data for science-based management. A total of 2342 samples were collected by trawl hauls between July 2004 and June 2007 from Izmir Bay (Turkey). The size of the samples ranged from 3.4 to 15.2 cm total length and the samples were composed of 35.2% females, 25.7% males and 39.1% immature individuals, with a female to male ratio of 1:0.73. The length-weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.0086L(3.16) for all samples. The age composition of the samples was from I to VI and the estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L-infinity = 15.96 cm, W-infinity = 54.35 g, t(o) = -0.018 year, and k = 0.483 year(-1), with a growth performance index of 2.09 (phi'). Reproduction started in February and continued to June. The total fecundity ranged from 503 to 10,046 oocytes/female and showed a significant correlation with fish length and weight. The size at first maturity was estimated at 10.55 cm total length and the maturity age was found to be 2-year-old in both sexes.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [103Y132]; Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM)Ege University [2005/BIL/003]The present study was carried out with financial supports from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) project 103Y132 and Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM) project 2005/BIL/003. We would like to thank Marga McElroy for revising the English text

Growth and reproduction of blotched picarel (Spicara maena Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Aegean Sea, Turkey

WOS: 000285279500003Growth and reproduction of the blotched picarel, Spicara maena (Linnaeus, 1758), were determined based on specimens (n = 2547) collected from the central Aegean Sea between July 2004 and June 2007. The samples consisted of 71.9% females, 16.2% males, and 11.9% immature individuals. The sex ratio of females to males was 1:0.23. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.011L(3.02), W = 0.011L(3.00), and W = 0.011L(2.99) for the combined sexes, females, and males, respectively. For all samples and both sexes the length-weight relationship showed isometric growth. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was fitted on the basis of mean length-at-age data, resulting in parameter values of L-infinity= 21.99 cm, k = 0.255 year(-1), and t(o) = -1.165 year, and weight at infinity (W-infinity) was calculated as 123.35 g. Length at first maturity was 8.1 cm in males and 8.5 cm in females. On the other hand, first reproduction length was 11.51 cm and 13.12 cm for females and males, respectively, both corresponding to 2 years of age. It was observed that spawning occurred between March and June

AGE, GROWTH, AND REPRODUCTION OF MEDITERRANEAN SCALDFISH, ARNOGLOSSUS LATERNA (ACTINOPTERYGII: PLEURONECTIFORMES: BOTHIDAE), IN THE EAST-CENTRAL AEGEAN SEA

WOS: 000398856200006Background. In Turkey, the Mediterranean scaldfish, Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792), is a discard fish species and it has a 'least concern' status on the IUCN Red List which indicates a low extinction risk. Although there are some studies investigating biology of this species, the knowledge of the mortality rates, spawning period, first maturity size, and age are not available for the study area. This paper, for the first time, provides some data on unknown population parameters for the east-central Aegean Sea. The aim of the presently reported study was to expand our knowledge on the biology of A. laterna. Materials and methods. Specimens of A. laterna were collected at monthly intervals by bottom trawl hauls between July 2004 and June 2007 from Izmir Bay (Turkey). The total length (L, cm), total weight (W, g), gonad weight (W-G, g), and the sex were determined and the sagittal otolith pairs were removed for age reading. The length-weight relations were estimated by linear regression analysis on log-transformed data by equation: W = aL(b). The growth was analysed by fitting the VBGF to size-at-age data using standard nonlinear optimization methods. Spawning period was established with monthly variations of the GSI values. Length at first maturity was estimating by the logit function. Results. A total of 2469 A. laterna individuals were sampled and the sex ratio was calculated as 1 divided by 1.57 (F divided by M). The length range of the sample was from 4.4 to 19.8 cm and the mean length was calculated as 9.4 +/- 0.05 cm. For all samples, the length-weight relation was W = 0.0074L(3.04) and the growt type was deterined as positive allometic. The age distribution of individuals varied from 1 to 8 years and the growth equation was determined as L-t = 20.62[1-e(-0.245(t+1.071))]. The first maturity lengths were estimated as 11.88 cm for females and 11.41 cm for males. Conclusion. The presently reported study provides the age, growth, and reproduction parameters for A. laterna and the first information on the mortality rates, spawning period, first maturity size, and age parameters for the east-central Aegean Sea. These parameters can be useful for managers in the management and conservation of the stock.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [103Y132]; Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM)Ege University [2005/BIL/003]This study was carried out with financial support from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), project 103Y132, and Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM), project 2005/BIL/003