Reproductive Biology of Chelon dumerili (Steindachner, 1870) in Saloum Delta, Senegal (West Africa)

The present study evaluated the sex ratio, evolution of gonado-somatic index and stages of sexual maturity, condition factor and size of first sexual maturity of Chelon dumerili (Mugilidae) to determine its reproductive parameters. From June 2016 to May 2017, a total of 360 individuals of C. dumerili were sampled in Sangomar Marine Protected Area (MPA), In Saloum Delta, Senegal. The sex-ratio was significantly in favor of females (61.67%). Based on the monthly evolution of gonadal maturation stages and gonado-somatic index, the reproductive period of the species was determined to be from March to May. The condition factor varied between 0.60 and 0.88 with an average value of 0.84 ± 0.07. Male individuals of C. dumerili reached the size of first sexual maturity at a lower total length than females (23.6 cm and 24.5 cm respectively). Thus, for this species whose reproductive biology has not been well documented until now, knowledge of the reproductive parameters is essential to put in place measures for the sustainable management of the resource.