Sexual Maturation and Spawning in Fish

Dear Colleagues, 

Understanding drivers of fish maturity is essential to predict the productivity, stability, and resiliency of exploited populations. The descriptions of reproductive strategies and the assessment of fecundity are fundamental topics in the study of the biology of fish species. Studies on reproduction—including the assessment of size at maturity, fecundity, duration of reproductive season, daily spawning behavior and spawning fraction—permit the quantification of the reproductive capacity of individual fish. This information in combination with estimates in egg production at sea enable the estimation of spawning stock biomass.

For this Special Issue, we invite contributions that investigate sexual maturation and spawning in male and female bony and the least known cartilaginous fish, considering different reproductive modes from the oviparity to viviparity, spawning patterns (total and batch spawners) and dynamic organization of ovaries, through several approaches such as histology of the gonads.

Papers on fish reproductive traits, such as size at maturity and fecundity and their temporal or spatial changes, are welcomed, providing basic information for stock management. Moreover, papers focusing on the male contribution in the mating and reproductive fitness of fish such as male fertility, parental care, or immune function are appreciated.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, species inhabiting coastal waters, transitional waters (e.g., freshwaters), oceans, deep seas, and pelagic and bottom environments.

I send my best wishes as I look forward to receiving your proposals.

Dr. Maria Cristina Follesa
Dr. Cristina Porcu
Guest Editors

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