Fecundity of the Far-Eastern flatfishes Pleuronectiformes. 2. Comparative taxonomic analysis: fecundity, abundance and distribution of the species

Abstract

Comparative analysis is made for absolute, species-specific and total fecundity of 31 flatfish species in the North Pacific from North America to the Japan Sea. Normally the individuals of larger size have higher fecundity. Similarity between the species by fecundity dynamics in dependence on body length and age is evaluated. Significance of the absolute fecundity for abundance or distribution of the species is discussed. Generally, the species with medium or high fecundity are more abundant than those with low number of eggs. The widest distribution is intrinsic for flatfish species with medium length of the early pelagic stage of their life.

Keywords

• flatfish
• individual fecundity
• species-specific fecundity
• total fecundity
• stock abundance
• species distribution