Growth, daily age, and hatching phenology of Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the shallow nursery grounds of Gökçeada Island (Northern Aegean Sea)
MARINE AND LIFE SCIENCES, cilt.8, sa.1, ss.21-27, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 8 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.51756/marlife.1834416
- Dergi Adı: MARINE AND LIFE SCIENCES
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), Environment Index
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.21-27
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Understanding the early life history, growth dynamics, and hatching phenology of the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) within nursery habitats is essential for developing effective fisheries management strategies. In this study, daily age structure, individual growth rates, and hatching patterns were determined using otolith daily age measurements of 60 out of 63 juvenile fish collected from Gökçeada Island (North Aegean Sea) between July and November 2013. Otolith microstructure readings indicated that individuals ranged from 71 to 198 days old, corresponding to total lengths of 4.7-9.2 cm. Growth patterns were best described by a linear model, yielding a mean daily growth rate of 0.37 mm·day-1 (R2 = 0.91). Estimated hatching dates showed a clear spring concentration, with the majority of individuals (85%) hatching between March and May, and peak hatching occurring during March-April (67%). Overall, the findings are consistent with previously reported growth rates and phenology patterns for M. barbatus in the Mediterranean and provide a solid basis for future monitoring and management of local stocks.