Common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, spawn at their easternmost Atlantic range adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

We provide sound evidence of common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) spawning activity in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Spain) during summer months. Along with waters off Ivory Coast, this area adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea is the easternmost Atlantic spawning ground documented for the species. All the fish analysed (5 males and 15 females) were at spawning stage, except the smallest female (61.5 cm in fork length), which might not have yet reached sexual maturation. The oceanographic conditions during the samplings were similar to those occurring during the peak spawning season in the Gulf of Mexico. Our results are consistent with recent genetic studies indicating differentiation between Mediterranean and Atlantic dolphinfish populations, the Strait of Gibraltar representing a boundary between two distinct reproductive units. The present results may contribute to improve the understanding of dolphinfish population dynamics and the management of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks.