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Reproductive and feeding biology of unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros from the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean

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Relation http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/15537/
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/abs/reproductive-and-feeding-biology-of-unicorn-leatherjacket-aluterus-monoceros-from-the-bay-of-bengal-northern-indian-ocean/D8BA004FD60A07627F31F0066ABAEAA9
10.1017/ S0025315421000758
 
Title Reproductive and feeding biology of unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros from the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean
 
Creator Ghosh, Shubhadeep
Manas, H M
Satishkumar, Mamidi
Rohit, Prathibha
Gopalakrishnan, A
 
Subject Fish breeding
Fish biology
Pelagic Fisheries
Pelagic Fishes
 
Description No prior comprehensive information on the reproductive biology and trophodynamics of Aluterus monoceros was globally available. The present study was performed on 1036 individuals landed along the western Bay of Bengal during 2017 to 2019. Length ranged between 25.3–64.4 cm in females (mean at 48.34 cm) and from 21.5–64.1 cm in males (mean at
47.83 cm). Growth was negatively allometric with no significant difference between sexes. Sex ratio (F:M) was 1.03 with variations based on sizes and months. Size at sexual maturity for females and males was 40.85 and 41.60 cm, respectively. The species spawned throughout
the year with major and minor peaks during February to May and October and November. Absolute fecundity increased linearly with length and weight and ranged from 33,640 eggs
to 12,39,202 eggs. Stomachs were empty or with trace amounts of food in 59.17%, part-full in 34.07% and full in 6.76% of the fishes. Stomach vacuity and fullness and predator–prey
weight ratios varied with an increase in body size, implying higher feeding intensity in large-sized fishes. Feeding activity was more intense during June–August and less during
the peak spawning months. The species is omnivorous and a bottom feeder. Teleosts contributed the most to the prey items (43.23% by Index of Preponderance) implying preference for carnivory. Ontogenetic shifts and seasonal variations in prey items were observed. The present study provides paramount information that can significantly contribute to the management and conservation of monacanthid stocks in northern Indian Ocean.
 
Publisher Cambridge University Press
 
Date 2021
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format text
 
Language en
 
Identifier http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/15537/1/Journal%20of%20the%20Marine%20Biological%20Association%20of%20the%20United%20Kingdom_2021_Shubhadeep%20Ghosh.pdf
Ghosh, Shubhadeep and Manas, H M and Satishkumar, Mamidi and Rohit, Prathibha and Gopalakrishnan, A (2021) Reproductive and feeding biology of unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros from the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. pp. 1-13.