Author(s)

Nedia Ayed, Eric Faure, Jean-Pierre Quignard, Monia Trabelsi

Laboratory of Analysis, Topology and Probability 7353, Aix-Marseille Universités, Marseille, France.
Laboratory of Ichthyology, University of Montpellier II, Montpellier, France.
Unit of Marine Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Campus, Tunis El Manar, Tunisia.

In this study, the reproduction of the sand smelt, Atherina lagunae, from the Tunis North Lake is investigated. The smallest mature female was 39 mm total length (TL). Fifty percent of the females were mature at 58 mm (TL). The yearly and monthly average gonadosomatic indexes (GSI) are presented. The average value of GSI for the 12-month period was respectively 3.02%, 2.57% and 2.8% for females, males and both sexes. The GSI began to increase in March (2.37% for females and 2.12% for males). The maximum GSI was recorded in May, 11.29% for females and 10.03% for males. The highest values were recorded between March and July, indicating the reproduction period of Atherina lagunae in the Tunis North Lake. Similar GSI values were recorded in sand smelt males from brackish lagoons of southern France.

Atherina lagunae; Tunis North Lake; Tunisia; Reproduction; GSI

N. Ayed, E. Faure, J. Quignard and M. Trabelsi, "Reproduction of Atherina lagunae from the Tunis North Lake," Journal of Water Resource and Protection, Vol. 4 No. 9, 2012, pp. 779-782. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2012.49089.