Spatial and Sex-Specific Growth Variations of Migratory <i>Coilia nasus</i> in the Middle and Lower Yangtze, China.

ABSTRACT: The Japanese grenadier anchovy (Coilia nasus), an economically vital anadromous species in the Yangtze River, has experienced severe population decline, prompting a 10-year fishing moratorium. Comprehensive data on its population structure and spatial growth variations during this critical recovery period, however, remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by analyzing 1119 individuals sampled from four sites along the species' migratory corridor during the 2024 spawning season. We assessed key life-history traits to quantify spatial and sex-specific dynamics. We found significant sexual dimorphism, with females attaining greater size and age than males. The population was highly structured spatially: larger individuals were captured farther upstream, and initially female-biased

SUBMITTER: Guo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12467153 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature