Publication Abstract

The influence of temperature on theonset of first maturity in sea-bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L)

M.G. Pawson, G.D. Pickett and P.R. Witthames

Oocyte development was aborted and full maturity did not occur in virgin femalesea bass Dicentrarchus labrax unless they remained in water above 10°C during the mainperiod of gonad development. There was no diference in the condition factors of femaleswith high or low I_G values in March, which indicates that retarded gonadaldevelopment was not necessarily due to poor body condition or nutritional state. It issuggested that the extended duration of the adolescent phase of female bass aroundsouthern Britain is a response to their environment, rather than an intrinsic aspect ofthe species' biology.

Reference:

M.G. Pawson, G.D. Pickett and P.R. Witthames, 1999. The influence of temperature on theonset of first maturity in sea-bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L). Journal of Fish Biology, 56:319-327.