Notes on the biology of "Notoscopelus resplendens" (Richardson, 1845) off the Canary Islands

Abstract

The reproductive biology of Notoscopelus resplendens (Richardson, 1845) is described on the base of 659 specimens caught during B/E “La Bocaina” cruisers, carried out between 1999 and 2002, off the Canary Islands. The total length (TL) of fish varied between 20.95 and 95.29 mm, while the total weight (W) ranged between 0.05 and 5.66 g. The reproductive activity was observed in January and March, while in May and November the majority of fish caught were in the process of maturation. Off the Canary Islands Notoscopelus resplendens is a batch spawner with asynchronous ovarian development and indeterminate fecundity. The average size at first maturity (L50) in males was 68.74 mm LT (n=115), but in females it was 73.40 mm LT (n=145). The macroscopic scale of maturation was validated through the histological analysis of the ovarian development. The sex ratio was not different of the 1:1.