Many rockfish (genus Sebastes) species within multispecies complexes have lacked basic biological data hindering their fisheries management. In this study, we provide essential information for stock assessment decision making for one of these species, Harlequin Rockfish Sebastes variegatus. We analyzed aspects of reproduction, size structure, and growth of Harlequin Rockfish in waters off Alaska using historical survey data and recent field collections. Results are reported primarily from the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) region, but important findings are noted from the Aleutian Islands (AI). Harlequin Rockfish reached an observed maximum age of 76 years in the AI, a new estimate for this species. Females exhibited group-synchronous oocyte development; the parturition period occurred in the spring in both regions, ceasing as late as July in the GOA. Females from the GOA had an estimated length and age at 50% maturity of 187.6 mm (95% confidence limits [CL] = 152.0–215.6 mm; n = 318) and 4.7 years (95% CL = 1.6–6.2 years; n = 188), respectively, indicating that the Harlequin Rockfish is one of the earliest maturing rockfishes. We analyzed a 14-year time series of bottom trawl survey data to examine the relationship between Harlequin Rockfish length and selected covariates. Spatial heterogeneity existed, with size showing a relationship with bottom temperature and ocean color (productivity index) across the GOA. The comparison of Harlequin Rockfish length at age indicated that larger fish were present in the western GOA but variable growth occurred across the region. Our findings contribute to understanding Harlequin Rockfish biology within multispecies management complexes, and our results demonstrate that key life history traits vary spatially, possibly influenced by regional environmental conditions. This study represents the most comprehensive biological examination for Harlequin Rockfish.

中文翻译：

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丑角岩鱼的生殖生物学、大小和年龄结构：生活史特征的空间分析

多物种复合体中的许多石斑鱼（Sebastes属）物种缺乏阻碍其渔业管理的基本生物学数据。在这项研究中，我们为其中一个物种 Harlequin Rockfish Sebastes variegatus 的种群评估决策提供了基本信息. 我们使用历史调查数据和最近的实地收集分析了阿拉斯加附近水域的丑角岩鱼的繁殖、大小结构和生长方面。结果主要来自阿拉斯加湾 (GOA) 地区，但重要的发现来自阿留申群岛 (AI)。Harlequin Rockfish 在 AI 中观察到的最大年龄为 76 岁，这是对该物种的新估计。女性表现出群体同步的卵母细胞发育；两个地区的分娩期都发生在春季，在 GOA 最迟到 7 月才结束。来自 GOA 的女性在 50% 成熟度时的估计身长和年龄为 187.6 毫米（95% 置信限 [CL] = 152.0-215.6 毫米；n  = 318）和 4.7 岁（95% CL = 1.6-6.2 岁；n = 188)，分别表明丑角岩鱼是最早成熟的岩鱼之一。我们分析了 14 年时间序列的底拖网调查数据，以检查 Harlequin Rockfish 长度与选定协变量之间的关系。存在空间异质性，其大小与整个 GOA 的底部温度和海洋颜色（生产力指数）有关。Harlequin Rockfish 年龄长度的比较表明，GOA 西部存在较大的鱼，但该地区出现了不同的增长。我们的研究结果有助于了解多物种管理综合体内的丑角岩鱼生物学，我们的结果表明，关键的生活史特征在空间上有所不同，可能受区域环境条件的影响。