ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, cilt.63, sa.1, ss.24-32, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
We collected data on the age at maturity (t(m)) and maximum reported age (t(max)) for 153 stocks of marine fishes in Turkey, belonging to 59 species, 24 families and 2 classes (Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii). Among Actinopterygii t(m) had an average of 1.8 years (1 to 4 years) while among Elasmobranchii it had an average of 11.9 years (2 to 11.9 years). Overall, t(max) ranged between two years (for Sarda sarda) and 34 years (for Squalus acanthias). Mean t(max) was found to be 6.24 years for Actinopterygii and 10.11 years for Elasmobranchii. t(m) showed a positive linear correlation with t(max) for both Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii. Mean t(m)/t(max) did not differ significantly with sex within the Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii. The ratio t(m)/t(max) was found to be significantly lower for Actinopterygii than for Elasmobranchii.