Reproductive characteristics of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), at spawning period

U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati istraživanja populacije inćuna, Engraulis encrasicolus. Raspon ukupne dužine tijela bio je od 11,2 do 16,1 cm sa srednjom vrijednošću od 13,308 ± 1,068 cm. Masa tijela inćuna bila je između 4,75g i 30,53 g, a srednja vrijednost iznosila je 15,608 ± 4,425 g. Dužinsko – maseni odnos je bio W = 0,0032 x \(Lt^{3,2671}\) za ukupno analizirani materijal. Ženke inćuna pokazuju u prosjeku veće vrijednosti indeksa kondicije od mužjaka. U analiziranom uzorku prisutna je podjednaka zastupljenost spolova. Vrijednosti gonosomatskih indeksa mužjaka su uglavnom manje nego kod ženki te su postupno padale s masom gonada. Pri analizi gonada uočena su samo tri stadija spolne zrelosti te su prevladavali 3. i 4.stadij. Histološka analiza gonada pokazala je prisutnost sve četiri faze razvoja oocita tijekom faze mrijesta inćuna.This paper presents the results of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, population investigation. Total body lenght range was from 11,2 to 16,1, with average of 13,308 ± 1,068 cm. Anchovy body weight went from 4,75 g to 30,53 g, with average of 15,608 ± 4,425 g. Lenght – weight relationship was established to be W = 0,0032 x \(Lt^{3,2671}\) for overall specimens. Condition coefficients of females were almost constantly higher than those of males. In total analysed material we had equal gender representation. Gonosomatic index values of males were mostly lover than those of females. GSI values were gradually decreasing with mass of ovaries. While doing reaserch on ovaries only three stages of sexual maturity were observed with mostly 3. and 4. stages prevailing. Histological analysis of ovaries revealed the presence of all four stages of oocyte development during the anchovy spawninh phase