Aspects of the spawning biology of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), (Clupeidae)

Abstract

Biological data, size frequency distribution of intraovarian oocytes, maturity indices and histological observations of the gonads were used to assess the spawning cycle of S. brasiliensis. sampled September 1981-August 1982 throughout the main fishing area off the Brazilian coast ( 2 2 3 to 28"s). Post-ovulatory follicles are described and classified, and the incidence of mature females displaying these structures was calculated. The main findings were (a) spawning occurred during the spring and summer with a maximum in December and January; (b) spawning occurred throughout the area studied; (c) spawning was fractional; (d) average batch fecundity was 26 OOO oocytes per female, or 393 eggs g-'; (e) spawning frequency reached values of approximately 50% during the spawning peak, but was sensibly lower during the other months of spawning activity.

Ethmalosa fimbriata (Bowdich 1825), a Clupeid Fish That Exhibits Elevated Batch Fecundity in Hypersaline Waters

“…These results are in good agreement with the species' temporally limited spawning periods defined in past studies [25,43]. It has been suggested before that seasonally varying hydrographic conditions (changes in water temperature and salinity) play a critical role in the timing and intensity of spawning in clupeid fishes [57][58][59]. Locally varying spawning times therefore hint towards favourable hydrographic conditions for offspring survival at the coast after the onset of upwelling at the beginning of the year.…”

Methods of Assessing Ovarian development in Fishes: a Review

“…Recently, quantitative methods of analysing histological sections of gonads, based on pointcount techniques, have been introduced (e.g. Lowe et al 1982;MacDonald and Thompson 1986;Isaac-Nahum et al 1988). This results in estimates of the volume fractions of the various components and may also be used to count oocytes of different stages of development, provided that a correction is made for the size differences of the oocyte stages counted.…”

Morphometry and relative growth of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879) in the southeastern Brazilian bight

“…It presents a short life cycle, high rates of growth and high fecundity. Its life cycle is also influenced by environmental conditions (oceanographic and meteorology), food availability and fisheries (Saccardo & Isaac-Nahum, 1985;Isaac-Nahum et al, 1988;Rossi-Wongtschowski et al, 1991;Checkley Jr. et al, 2009;Dallagnolo et al, 2010).…”