Determine reproductive aspects of a lessepsian shrimpspecies Melicertus hathor, (Burkenroad, 1959)in the Gulf of Antalya

In this study, it was aimed to determine some reproductive aspects of lessepsian Shrimp, Melicertus hathor (Burkenroad, 1959), which was reported by the Israeli Researcher Bella GALIL in 1999. M. hathor has expanded its distribution in the Mediterranean since 2010; It is became a common shrimp species in the Mediterranean coast of Israel, Syria, Cyprus and Turkey. In this study, M. hathor samples were collected, monthly, from Beldibi - Göynük and Lara-Side coasts by trammel nets. As a result of the study, a total of 576 individuals, 296 male and 280 female, were sampled. Shrimps were distinguished in terms of sex, via macroscopic control seen petasma on the male and thelycum on the female. Gonad maturity stages and gonadosomatic index were used to determine reproductive period for females. In regards to Gonadosomatic index and gonad developments, it was determined that reproduction season was distributed between June and September. Diameters of eggs range were calculated as minimum 170 μm and maximum 260 μm. When the monthly GSI values of female individuals were analyzed, the GSI distribution ranged between 1.97 (February) and 7.03 (December) and the mean value was 4.50 ± 1.7. Gonadosomatic index was found the lowest in February and March; It was determined that it is increased continuously between April and December. Based on these data, it was determined that M. hathor had a long reproduction period on the coasts of Antalya. The most intense growth was observed between October and December. Shrimp individuals which are at the gonadal stage III and IV was measured and as a result, the first breeding length was calculated as 16 cm. This study is the first study on the biology reproduction of M. hathor type in the Mediterranean; it is thought that the results obtained from this study will provide a basis for future studies. KEYWORDS: Melicertus hathor, reproductive, first maturity length, spawning season, eggs diameter, number of eggs, Gulf of Antalya.