Reproductive biology of Garra regressus and Garra tana (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Lake Tana, Ethiopia

<p>The reproductive biology of <em>Garra regressus </em>and<em> Garra tana </em>was investigated by collecting monthly samples (January to December 2006) from the southern Gulf of Lake Tana, where these species are endemic.  <em>Garra regressus</em> has an e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Akewake Geremew, Abebe Getahun, Eshete Dejen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2015-05-01
Series:Journal of Threatened Taxa
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/2019
Description
Summary:<p>The reproductive biology of <em>Garra regressus </em>and<em> Garra tana </em>was investigated by collecting monthly samples (January to December 2006) from the southern Gulf of Lake Tana, where these species are endemic.  <em>Garra regressus</em> has an extended breeding time from April to October while <em>G. tana</em> breeds throughout the year with a peak from March to July.  The mean size at maturity in both the species was not significantly different between the sexes, but <em>G. tana</em> had a significantly lower mean size at maturity than <em>G. regressus</em> in female specimens.  Absolute fecundity estimates for <em>G. regressus</em> ranged from 580.8–1800, while those for <em>G. tana</em> ranged from 538.9–2968.  Egg size frequency distribution revealed that <em>G. regressus</em> is a multiple spawner, while <em>G. tana</em> is a single spawner.  The sex ratio in the total catch of <em>G. regressus</em> was found to be skewed in favour of females (Chi-square, P&lt; 0.05), while those for <em>G. tana</em> was not significantly different from 1:1. The mean size at maturity was not significantly different between the sexes for <em>G. tana</em>.</p><div> </div>
ISSN:0974-7893
0974-7907