title: Spawning Characteristics and Artificial Hatching of Female Mottled Skate, Beringraja pulchra in the West Coast of Korea.
abstract: The gonadsomatic index (GSI) of mottled skate was the highest in April, GSI and HSI showed a reverse phase for its reproductive cycle. The fish had one pair of egg capsules, having 1 to 7 fertilized eggs, and spawned all the year round. When surveying the reproductive characteristics of females over 63 ㎝ in disc width, we found the spawning peak was between April to June, and the appearance ratio of egg capsules was the highest in May (32.1%). The eggs were hatched at 8°C, 13°C, 18°C, water temperature (12.8 to 24.2°C), and the best hatching temperature was 18°C. The number of fish hatched was 4 to 5 fish/egg capsules, and the hatching rate was 100%. The sex ratios of hatching larvae were 45.5% female and 54.5% male. Therefore this study will provide fundamental data and information for artificial reproduction of the mottled skate.
authors.affiliation: West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Incheon 400-420, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Woong
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Incheon 400-420, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeong-Rok
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Incheon 400-420, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Duk-Yong
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Incheon 400-420, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gyeong-Suk
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Incheon 400-420, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Su
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jo
keywords: Beringraja pulchra; Closed season; Egg capsule; Hatching; Spawning.