The reproductive biology of the dab <i>Limanda limanda</i> (L.) in the North Sea: gonosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and condition factor

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the annual cyclical changes in gonosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor ( K ) in male and female dab Limanda limanda (L.). There is a direct correlation between HSI and K , and an inverse correlation of these factors to GSI but with a three month lag. It was also found that the lower (‘ventral’) ovaries were invariably heavier than the upper (‘dorsal’) ovaries at all times, and a similar relationship was found in testes prior to and during the spawning season.