Research Article

Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea

Volume: 43 Number: 3 June 13, 2026
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Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea

Abstract

 In recent years, one of the lessepsian migrant, Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) extended its dispersal towards the Aegean Sea. Because of lacking data on the reproduction of the species along the Turkish coast, the aim of the present study was to determine some reproductive characters of dusky spinefoot Siganus luridus such as the reproductive cycle, fecundity and condition factor. A total of 181 female fish were sampled from Gökova Bay in the southern Aegean Sea using small-scale fisheries (trammel nets) and recreational fishing methods (angling and trap fisheries) between July 2019 and June 2020. Variations in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal histological changes indicated that reproduction of S. luridus started in May, peaked in August and gradually decreased in September. Individuals ready to spawn were mostly observed between May and September, with the highest occurrence in August. The highest K value was found in April (1.67 ± 0.11) and the lowest in September (1.39 ± 0.11). Spawning females ranged from 14.8 to 25.6 cm total length. Absolute fecundity varied between 98,607 and 801,460 oocytes per female within a total length range of 12.2–25.6 cm. Relative fecundity ranged from 1,107 to 2,952 oocytes g⁻¹, with an average value of 1,734 ± 747 oocytes g⁻¹. Length at maturity value was calculated to be 16.19 cm. Findings of the present work are useful for fisheries management and may serve as the fundamental source for aquaculture of the species.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under Project FGA-2020-21703

Project Number

FGA-2020-21703

Ethical Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL No approval of research ethics committees was required to accomplish the goals of this study because individuals subject to study were captured by professional fishermen and afterwards they were purchased form the fishers. Therefore, responsibilities on the welfare of the fish samples didn’t belong to authors of the study.

Thanks

This study was funded by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit. Project Number: FGA-2020-21703.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fish Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 13, 2026

Submission Date

September 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 3

APA
Engin, S., Cerim, H., & Soykan, O. (2026). Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(3), 207-215. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03
AMA
1.Engin S, Cerim H, Soykan O. Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026;43(3):207-215. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03
Chicago
Engin, Serhat, Hasan Cerim, and Ozan Soykan. 2026. “Fecundity, Condition, and Ovarian Histology of the Lessepsian Migrant Fish Siganus Luridus (Rüppell, 1829) Inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 (3): 207-15. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03.
EndNote
Engin S, Cerim H, Soykan O (June 1, 2026) Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 3 207–215.
IEEE
[1]S. Engin, H. Cerim, and O. Soykan, “Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea”, EgeJFAS, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 207–215, June 2026, doi: 10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03.
ISNAD
Engin, Serhat - Cerim, Hasan - Soykan, Ozan. “Fecundity, Condition, and Ovarian Histology of the Lessepsian Migrant Fish Siganus Luridus (Rüppell, 1829) Inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43/3 (June 1, 2026): 207-215. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03.
JAMA
1.Engin S, Cerim H, Soykan O. Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026;43:207–215.
MLA
Engin, Serhat, et al. “Fecundity, Condition, and Ovarian Histology of the Lessepsian Migrant Fish Siganus Luridus (Rüppell, 1829) Inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 43, no. 3, June 2026, pp. 207-15, doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03.
Vancouver
1.Serhat Engin, Hasan Cerim, Ozan Soykan. Fecundity, condition, and ovarian histology of the Lessepsian migrant fish Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829) inhabiting the Southern Aegean Sea. EgeJFAS. 2026 Jun. 1;43(3):207-15. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.03