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Reproductive biology of Oxygymnocypris stewartii in the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, China

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Abstract

We determined the gonadal histology, reproductive characteristics and implications for management of Oxygymnocypris stewartii from individuals collected in the Yarlung Zangbo River. Based on the analyses of gonad development and the size distribution of oocytes, O. stewartii spawns just once each year. Peak spawning occurred between late March and early April, when water temperature exceeded 5°C. The standard lengths and the ages at 50 % maturity for males and females were 273 mm and 357 mm, and 5.1 year and 7.3 years, respectively. The mean fecundity of 34211 and mean relative fecundity of 25.4 eggs per gram of fish body weight suggest that O. stewartii might be especially vulnerable to exploitation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Li Qin, Feng L. Liu and Hui J. Zhang for their help with histological processing. Thanks to Charles P. Madenjian for suggesting revisions to the manuscript.

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  1. College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic China

    Bin Huo, Cong X. Xie, Bao S. Ma, Xue F. Yang & Hai P. Huang

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  1. Bin Huo
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  2. Cong X. Xie
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  3. Bao S. Ma
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  5. Hai P. Huang
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Correspondence to Cong X. Xie.

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Huo, B., Xie, C.X., Ma, B.S. et al. Reproductive biology of Oxygymnocypris stewartii in the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, China. Environ Biol Fish 96, 481–493 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0031-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0031-4

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