Goosefish Lophius americanus fecundity and spawning frequency, with implications for population reproductive potential

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13272
• Publication Date: 2017-02-24T03:12:40Z
• Authors: R. S. McBride; A. K. Johnson; E. K. Lindsay; H. J. Walsh; R. A. Richards
• Keywords: Male; 0106 biological sciences; Fertility; Reproduction; Population Dynamics; Fishes; Animals; Female; 14. Life underwater; 01 natural sciences

To improve knowledge of goosefish Lophius americanus' reproductive biology, females were collected during 2009-2012 from the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf region U.S. east coast. Batch fecundity increased with total length (LT ), 229 100 to 2 243 300 mature oocytes per female range: 55·5-112 cm; n = 54). This estimate at LT is lower than one derived a sample 1982-1985. Examination whole oocyte diameters in different months indicated that L. americanus serial spawner, releasing more egg veil spawning season, as suspected or observed for other species. Seasonality was evident and gonad histology, larval fish surveys spanning north-east shelf, confirmed protracted (c. 6 months) period. Peak activity progressed northward spring autumn. The population-level implications these results explored by estimating population potential (PRP which considered value both current future capita reproduction using decade-specific age structure length. PRP now 50% compared historical period (1982-1985), result proportions large reduced across all sizes. Mechanisms could explain this loss stock productivity are fishing-induced size-age truncation regime shifts production caused changes energy density common forage