Some Aspects of the Reproductive Biology of Kapenta, Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger 1906) in the Cahora Bassa Reservoir, Mozambique
The reproductive biology of the Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon), that supports the main commercial fishery in Lake Cahora Bassa (Mozambique) was investigated using monthly samples collected during 2003 and2004. This species was initially introduced in Lake Kariba in 1967/68 with the objective of filling up the pelagic environment that was created with dam closure. The fish is believed to have been able to negotiate the Kariba dam wall and became established in Cahora Bassa, some 250 km downstream, as well. The reproductive biology of Kapenta is known from Lake Tanganyika, where it is indigenous, and from Kariba,but no research has been performed, so far, in Cahora Bassa. Since many important biological attributes may vary from place to place, depending on the local environmental factors, it was thought important to investigate and compare the reproductive biology in Cahora Bassa. Samples of about 250 g of fish (approximately 150 individuals) were taken each sampling day and preserved in 10% formalin. Once in the laboratory, individual weight (in grams) and fork length (in mm) were measured. Then the fish was dissected for macroscopic assessment of the gonads. The results indicate that this species matures at 39 mm FL, which is less than half of its size at maturity in Lake Tanganyka and Kivu, but comparable to findings made in Lake Kariba. The reproduction seasonality was assessed through analysis of percentage of mature individuals and gonadossomatic index. As in Lake Kariba, Kapenta seem to reproduce year around, but peaks of reproduction were observed from December to January.
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| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2011
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| Subjects: | Seasonality, Reproduction (biology), Sardine fisheries, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/5140 |
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