@article{fdi:010061298,
  title = {{A}ge, growth, sexual maturity and reproduction of the thornback ray, {R}aja clavata ({L}.), of the {G}ulf of {G}abes (south-central {M}editerranean {S}ea)},
  author = {{K}adri, {H}. and {M}arouani, {S}. and {S}aidi, {B}. and {B}radai, {M}. {N}. and {B}ouain, {A}. and {M}orize, {E}ric},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he thornback ray {R}aja clavata is one of the most abundant bycatch species of trawl fishing in the waters of the {G}ulf of {G}abes, but little is known about its life history in this area. {T}he present study provides the first data on age and growth of this species in {T}unisian waters, as well as additional data on its reproduction. {T}he age of individuals was estimated by counting growth bands on central vertebral sections. {M}arginal increment and edge analysis supported the hypothesis of annual deposition of growth bands, with the opaque band formed during autumn. {T}he parameters estimated from von {B}ertalanffy and {G}ompertz growth functions showed differences between sexes. {T}he oldest thornback ray female was aged 15 years (104 cm {TL}), whereas the oldest male was 12 years (89 cm {TL}). {V}ariations in the gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices of both sexes and the presence of vitellogenic activity in mature females during the year indicated that the species cannot be considered to be a continuous spawner. {M}ales were found to mature between 55 and 75 cm {TL}, whereas females matured between 72.4 and 85 cm {TL}. {T}he {TL} at which 50% of the population reached maturity was 67.44 and 81.42 cm for males and females, respectively. {M}ales and female thornback rays mature, respectively, at approximately 5.3 and 7 years old.},
  keywords = {{A}ge ; growth ; reproductive parameters ; {R}aja clavata ; {G}ulf of {G}abes ; {M}editerranean {S}ea ; {MEDITERRANEE} ; {TUNISIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}arine {B}iology {R}esearch},
  volume = {10},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {416--425},
  ISSN = {1745-1000},
  year = {2014},
  DOI = {10.1080/17451000.2013.797584},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061298},
}