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Growth, Reproduction and Seasonal Variation in the Fatty Acid Composition of the Sand Smelt Atherina sp. from Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia |
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N. Bouriga,
M. Cherif,
G. Hajjej,
S. Selmi,
J-P. Quignard,
E. Faure and M. Trabelsi |
Abstract:
The growth, reproductive properties and seasonal variation in fatty acid profile of sand smelt Atherina sp. caught from Kerkennah islands in Tunisia were studied by sampling carried out between March 2008 and February 2009. A total of 793 specimens were examined. The sex of these species was determined macroscopically and the proportion of males (35.94%) was significantly lower than that of females (64.05%) with a ratio of 1:1.782 (males/females). The mean total length (TL) and weight (W) of the individuals ranged from 14-70 mm and 0.07-2.76 g, respectively. Regression coefficients (b) were estimated by using the logarithms of the total length and the total weight. Length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0085TL2.9313 for females and W = 0.009TL2.8789 for males, being allometrically negative for both sexes. The reproductive season, evaluated from the gonado-somatic index (GSI), extended from March to June, with a peak in May. The levels of lipid extracted, and displayed pronounced seasonal fluctuations with the highest value in July (5.9 g/100 g fresh weight). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) obtained by the method described by Metcalfe were the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The highest percentages for EPA and DHA were found in spring season and the highest amount were 6.48-9.32%, respectively for Sand Smelt in Kerkennah islands. The highest n-3/n-6 ratio was 1.65 in May and the lowest value was 0.69 in November.
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How to cite this article:
N. Bouriga, M. Cherif, G. Hajjej, S. Selmi, J-P. Quignard, E. Faure and M. Trabelsi, 2011. Growth, Reproduction and Seasonal Variation in the Fatty Acid Composition of the Sand Smelt Atherina sp. from Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 6: 322-333.
DOI: 10.3923/jfas.2011.322.333
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jfas.2011.322.333
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