G. Guerao et al., GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF PALAEMON-XIPHIAS RISSO, 1816 (DECAPODA, CARIDEA, PALAEMONIDAE), Journal of crustacean biology, 14(2), 1994, pp. 280-288
Aspects of growth and reproductive cycle of the prawn Palaemon xiphias
were studied in Alfacs Bay (Ebro delta, Spain) from December 1989 to
December 1990. Growth is continuous throughout the year. Adult females
are larger than males. Sexual differences related to length-weight we
re noted. Longevity was estimated to be 14-17 months. The growth equat
ion estimated for males is: L(t) = 50[1 - exp{- 1.57(t + 0.31) - ((0.4
5)(1.57)/ 2pi)sin(2pi(t - 0.9))}] and for females L(t) = 70[1 - exp{-1
.92(t + 0.15)((0.6)(1.92)/2pi)sin(2pi(t - 0.9))}], where L(t) is lengt
h (mm) at age t (in units of years). Ovigerous females were recorded b
etween April and October. They were most numerous in May and June. Som
e of the early specimens appearing in the benthic population in summer
had already spawned at the end of the reproductive period. The number
of spawnings by a single female was a minimum of two. The number of e
ggs (range: 318-2,750) carried by females was related to their size: y
= 0.000727x3.5868; r = 0.91752; N = 30, where y = egg number and x =
total female length (mm).