LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS AND SPAWNING CHARACTERISTICS IN POPULATIONS OF LONG ROUGH DAB (AMERICAN PLAICE) HIPPOGLOSSOIDES-PLATESSOIDES (FABRICIUS) IN THE NORTH-ATLANTIC

Life history traits and spawning characteristics of 10 populations of long rough dab (American plaice), Hippoglossoides platessoides, in the western North Atlantic and 4 populations in the eastern North Atlanti c were described and compared over the range of this species. Literatu re-derived values of eggs and larvae, longevity, body size, size at ma turity, growth, fecundity, spawning times and temperature, and plankto n production were examined. Considerable regional variation in life hi story;traits and spawning characteristics were found on both sides of the North Atlantic. The results imply latitudinal variation of which t emperature may play a significant role. Southern populations were char acterized by faster growing, early maturing, winter-spring spawners ex hibiting low stock-dependent responses and northern populations were c haracterized by slow-growing, late maturing, spring-summer spawners ex hibiting strong stock-dependent responses. These patterns were consist ent on both sides of the North Atlantic, Some processes were suggested which may regulate the population dynamics of this species and should be investigated in further studies.