Reproduction of Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus (Perciformes: Scombridae) in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Equatorial Atlantic, Brazil.

The reproduction of Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus has been described for coastal regions, and for a long time, this species was considered to be a strictly continental spawner. Recently, this species was observed around a seamount habitat 500 nautical miles Northeast of Brazil, located between South America and Africa. In this study we describe the reproductive biology of Blackfin tuna at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA). Male and female gonads were sampled from December 2008 to July 2010, and analyzed macro and microscopically. A total of 361 fish were sampled (247 males and 114 females). Males were more common than females, with a sex ratio of 2.2 male:1 female. The fork length (FL) of all sampled specimens ranged from 38 to 98cm, and larger length classes were more frequent in males. It was possible to distinguish six maturity phases for females: immature, developing, spawning capable, actively spawning, regressing and recovering. Five phases were identified for males: immature, developing, spawning capable, actively spawning and recovering. The gonad index (GI) mean monthly values ranged from 6.6 (SD = 4.1) to 58.4 (SD = 34.7) for females, and from 2.6 (SD = 1.3) to 66.2 (SD = 30.4) for males. For both sexes, the largest GI values were observed at the beginning of the first semester of the year. Size at first maturity was estimated at 48cm FL and 55cm FL for females and males respectively. Approximately 80% of the specimens were adults and considered to be in reproductive conditions. Histological analysis of the ovaries and testes showed that most of the specimens were sexually mature and were reproductively active during all months of the year. However, females with mature ovaries, with large amounts of hydrated oocytes and post-ovulatory follicles, were mainly found from December to March, thus these months may constitute the main spawning season in SPSPA. Batch fecundity varied between 272025 and 1,140584 oocytes for 56 and 68 cm FL females respectively. Oocyte development and spawning patterns suggest a multiple spawning behavior. The results revealed that Blackfin tuna is using the SPSPA as a spawning ground, similar to other species commonly observed in the same area during the same reproductive season.

Reproduction of the Brazilian snapper, Lutjanus alexandrei Moura & Lindeman, 2007 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae), off the northern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil

Reproductive aspects of the Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei, were characterized, including a description of the development of oocytes and spermatogenic cells, size at first sexual maturity, and fecundity. A total of 540 fish were analyzed with 250 having their gonads sectioned to allow microscopic evaluation. Six maturity stages were identified for females and males: immature, maturing, mature, spawning, spawned, and resting. Fish standard length (SL) varied from 13.0 to 28.3 cm and sex ratio was 1.6 males: 1.0 females. Monthly distributions of mean Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and maturity stages suggest that spawning occurs mainly in a protracted period, during the warmer months, from November to March. The size of first sexual maturity was estimated at 17.1 cm SL for females and 16.8 cm SL for males. Oocyte development suggests that L. alexandrei exhibits a multiple batch spawning behavior and batch fecundity varied from 34,000 to 324,000 oocytes.(AU)

Os aspectos reprodutivos da baúna-de-fogo Lutjanus alexandrei foram caracterizados, incluindo a descrição do desenvolvimento dos ovócitos e células espermatogênicas, do tamanho de primeira maturação sexual, e da fecundidade. Um total de 540 peixes foi analisado, dos quais 250 tiveram as suas gônadas seccionadas para avaliação microscópica. Seis estágios de maturidade sexual foram determinados para fêmeas e machos: imaturo, em maturação, maduro, desovando, desovado e repouso. O comprimento padrão (CP) dos peixes variou de 13,0 a 28,3 cm e a proporção sexual foi de 1,6 machos: 1,0 fêmeas. As distribuições mensais dos valores médios do Índice Gonadosomático (IGS) e dos estágios de maturidade sexual sugerem a ocorrência de desovas em um período prolongado, principalmente nos meses de temperaturas mais quentes, entre novembro e março. O tamanho médio de primeira maturação sexual foi estimado em 17,1 cm CP para as fêmeas e 16,9 cm CP para os machos. O padrão de desenvolvimento dos ovócitos sugere que L. alexandrei exibe comportamento de múltiplas desovas por lote, e a fecundidade variou entre 34.000 a 324.000 ovócitos.(AU)

Reproduction of the Brazilian snapper, Lutjanus alexandrei Moura & Lindeman, 2007 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae), off the northern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil

Reproductive aspects of the Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei, were characterized, including a description of the development of oocytes and spermatogenic cells, size at first sexual maturity, and fecundity. A total of 540 fish were analyzed with 250 having their gonads sectioned to allow microscopic evaluation. Six maturity stages were identified for females and males: immature, maturing, mature, spawning, spawned, and resting. Fish standard length (SL) varied from 13.0 to 28.3 cm and sex ratio was 1.6 males: 1.0 females. Monthly distributions of mean Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and maturity stages suggest that spawning occurs mainly in a protracted period, during the warmer months, from November to March. The size of first sexual maturity was estimated at 17.1 cm SL for females and 16.8 cm SL for males. Oocyte development suggests that L. alexandrei exhibits a multiple batch spawning behavior and batch fecundity varied from 34,000 to 324,000 oocytes.

Os aspectos reprodutivos da baúna-de-fogo Lutjanus alexandrei foram caracterizados, incluindo a descrição do desenvolvimento dos ovócitos e células espermatogênicas, do tamanho de primeira maturação sexual, e da fecundidade. Um total de 540 peixes foi analisado, dos quais 250 tiveram as suas gônadas seccionadas para avaliação microscópica. Seis estágios de maturidade sexual foram determinados para fêmeas e machos: imaturo, em maturação, maduro, desovando, desovado e repouso. O comprimento padrão (CP) dos peixes variou de 13,0 a 28,3 cm e a proporção sexual foi de 1,6 machos: 1,0 fêmeas. As distribuições mensais dos valores médios do Índice Gonadosomático (IGS) e dos estágios de maturidade sexual sugerem a ocorrência de desovas em um período prolongado, principalmente nos meses de temperaturas mais quentes, entre novembro e março. O tamanho médio de primeira maturação sexual foi estimado em 17,1 cm CP para as fêmeas e 16,9 cm CP para os machos. O padrão de desenvolvimento dos ovócitos sugere que L. alexandrei exibe comportamento de múltiplas desovas por lote, e a fecundidade variou entre 34.000 a 324.000 ovócitos.