Publication Abstract

The geographical variation in the potential annual fecundity of Dover sole (Solea solea L.) from European Shelf edge waters during 1991

The geographical variation in thepotential annual fecundity of Dover sole (Solea solea L.) from European Shelfedge waters during 1991

P.R. Witthames, M. Greer Walker, M.T. Dinis and C.L. Whiting

Measurements of the annual potential fecundity were made from soleSolea solea (L.) stocks inhabiting the European Continental Shelf from the coast ofPortugal (latitude 38°N) to the North Sea (latitude 54°N). In total eight ICES divisionswere sampled (IVb east, IVb west, IVc, Vlld, Vile, Vila, Vill and IXa) during 1991. Thehighest fecundity (440103 oocytes at 35 cm total fish length) was found in the northeastof the study area (German Bight, IVb east) and the lowest (205103 at 35 cm total fishlength) in the southwest (IXa, Portugal). No age effect on fecundity could be demonstratedindependent of length. Growth in length of mature female sole from 3 to 6 years of agealso varied between areas, from a minimum 5.5 cm in Vile increasing to 8.0, 8.2 and 11.2in IVB (west) Vild and IVb east-IVc combined, respectively. The area-specific fecundityand adult growth differences reflecting the ability of sole to exploit the localenvironment are considered in relation to phenotypic plasticity or genotypic evolution.

Reference:

P.R. Witthames, M. Greer Walker, M.T. Dinis and C.L. Whiting, 1995. The geographicalvariation in the potential annual fecundity of Dover sole (Solea solea L.) from EuropeanShelf edge waters during 1991. Journal of Sea Research, 34: 45-58.

P.R. Witthames*, M. Greer Walker*, M.T. Dinis and C.L. Whiting*

Journal of Sea Research, 34: 45-58