Determination of Some Biological Properties of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) in Antalya Gulf Shores

Abstract

The research was carried out at three stations to determine some biological and ecological properties of Paracentrotus lividus in Antalya Gulf. A total of 396 specimens were caught between September 2001 – August 2002. The sex, test diameter and dry weight distributions and the length of sexual maturity were determined. The test diameter and dry weight of P. lividus samples varied from 4.21 cm and 23.48 g respectively. The populations was composed of 48.23 % females, 42.93 % males and 8.48 % were immatures. The gonad index of P. lividus was shown that maximum gonad growth occured in March. The highest gonad index was found in I station (Konyaalti). It was coincided with the period of decreasing sea temperatures, and gonad growth exhibits reserve relationship with temperature. Sexual maturation length belong to this species are found as 2.8 cm. In sampling were found mean 11.5 ind./m2 species at I. station, 7.1 ind./m2 species at II. station and 5.8 ind./m2 species at III. station. P. lividus in Gulf of Antalya generally is similar with other region of Aegean Sea and Mediterranean.