Maternal effects of common carp on egg quantity and quality

Abstract

Maternal reproductive characteristics can play an influential role in fisheries by affecting offspring traits that can persist to influence year-class formation. We evaluated maternal characteristics of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a widespread invader that can degrade aquatic ecosystems, to determine the variability of fecundity, egg size and egg energy density. Common carp fecundity increased with female size but was lower than identified in previously published reports. Female length, age, condition, and gonadosomatic index were positively correlated with ovary weight, fecundity, and egg volume, but not egg energy density. Additionally, fecundity was positively correlated with ovary weight and egg volume, but not energy density. Thus, larger and older females in better condition produce more and larger eggs compared to females that are smaller, younger, and in lower condition. These results have implications for understanding common carp reproduction, recruitment dynamics, and management of this species throughout its range. © 2012, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.