Gonad maturation of Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Ceará state, Northeastern Brazil.

To elucidate the reproductive cycle of any animal, it is first necessary to understand the development of the germ cells and how this process occurs throughout the reproductive tract. Thus, the aim of the present study was to understand the oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as the ovarian and testis maturation and type of spawning, of Haemulon plumieri. A total of 119 females and 136 males were analysed. Based on micro and macroscopic characteristics of gonads, the following stages of maturation for females were determined: immature, maturing, ripe, partially spawning, spawning and resting. For males, only the stages immature, maturing, ripe and spent were observed. We can conclude that the ovarian development occurs cyclically, in which the female can spawn more than two times during the reproductive season with the spawning "synchronous in more than two groups". Since males do not present the "rest" stage after copulation, the maturation process is continuous.

Reproductive biology of Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Ceará state, Northeastern Brazil.

The Haemulon plumieri is a typical reef-associated and tropical species found in warm and temperate waters of the Western Atlantic. Due to the large fishing effort directed to H. plumieri, the knowledge about its reproductive biology is essential for correct stock management and conservation. The aim of this study was to characterise reproductive biology with a focus on its seasonal variation of gonadal maturation stages, first maturation size and fecundity. Specimens were monthly collected and a total of 119 females and 136 males were analysed. The reproductive cycle of Haemulon plumieri is seasonal, with higher activity between March and May. Size at first maturity (L50) was estimated at 16.86 and 18.55 cm for females and males, respectively. The total fecundity ranged between 17,816 and 120,333 mature oocytes per female and relative fecundity was 235 ± 63 oocyte.g-1 whereas batch fecundity varied between 20 and 25% from total fecundity. Since the species is widely caught, we suggest a closed season from March to May and to establish a minimum catch size of 18.5 cm for both sexes, since there is no evident sexual dimorphism.

Gonad maturation of Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Ceará state, northeastern Brazil / Maturação gonadal de Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) no nordeste do Brasil

To elucidate the reproductive cycle of any animal, it is first necessary to understand the development of the germ cells and how this process occurs throughout the reproductive tract. Thus, the aim of the present study was to understand the oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as the ovarian and testis maturation and type of spawning, of Haemulon plumieri. A total of 119 females and 136 males were analysed. Based on micro and macroscopic characteristics of gonads, the following stages of maturation for females were determined: immature, maturing, ripe, partially spawning, spawning and resting. For males, only the stages immature, maturing, ripe and spent were observed. We can conclude that the ovarian development occurs cyclically, in which the female can spawn more than two times during the reproductive season with the spawning synchronous in more than two groups. Since males do not present the rest stage after copulation, the maturation process is continuous.(AU)

Para se conhecer a biologia reprodutiva de qualquer animal, é fundamental o conhecimento prévio do desenvolvimento das células germinativas e como esse processo ocorre ao longo do trato reprodutivo. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi descrever a oogênese e a espermatogênese, bem como o desenvolvimento maturacional dos ovários e testículos, e o tipo de desova do Haemulon plumieri. Foram analisadas 119 fêmeas e 136 machos. A partir das características macro e microscópicas das gônadas, foram estabelecidos os seguintes estágios de maturação para fêmeas: imatura, em maturação, matura, parcialmente desovada, desovada e em repouso. Para os machos, foram identificados apenas os seguintes estágios: imaturo, em maturação, maturo e esvaziado. A partir das análises, pôde-se concluir que o desenvolvimento ovariano é cíclico, em que a fêmea pode desovar mais de duas vezes por estação, por apresentar a desova do tipo sincrônica em mais de dois grupos. Uma vez que os machos não apresentam o estágio em repouso após a cópula, o processo de maturação é contínuo.(AU)

Reproductive biology of Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Ceará state, northeastern Brazil / Biologia reprodutiva de Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) no nordeste do Brasil

The Haemulon plumieri is a typical reef-associated and tropical species found in warm and temperate waters of the Western Atlantic. Due to the large fishing effort directed to H. plumieri, the knowledge about its reproductive biology is essential for correct stock management and conservation. The aim of this study was to characterise reproductive biology with a focus on its seasonal variation of gonadal maturation stages, first maturation size and fecundity. Specimens were monthly collected and a total of 119 females and 136 males were analysed. The reproductive cycle of Haemulon plumieri is seasonal, with higher activity between March and May. Size at first maturity (L50) was estimated at 16.86 and 18.55 cm for females and males, respectively. The total fecundity ranged between 17,816 and 120,333 mature oocytes per female and relative fecundity was 235 ± 63 oocyte.g1 whereas batch fecundity varied between 20 and 25% from total fecundity. Since the species is widely caught, we suggest a closed season from March to May and to establish a minimum catch size of 18.5 cm for both sexes, since there is no evident sexual dimorphism.(AU)

O Haemulon plumieri é uma espécie tropical, associada aos recifes, encontrada em águas quentes e temperadas do Atlântico Oeste. Em razão do grande esforço de pesca direcionado para a captura desta espécie, o conhecimento acerca da biologia reprodutiva é essencial para um correto manejo e a sua preservação. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar a biologia reprodutiva com um foco na variação sazonal dos estágios de maturação, no tamanho de primeira maturação e na fecundidade. Espécimens foram mensalmente coletados e um total de 119 fêmeas e 136 machos foi analisado. O ciclo reprodutivo de Haemulon plumieri é sazonal, com maior atividade entre os meses de março e maio. O tamanho de primeira maturação (L50) foi estimado em 16,86 cm para as fêmeas e 18,55 cm para os machos. A fecundidade total variou de 17.816 a 120.333 oócitos maturos por fêmeas e a fecundidade relativa foi 235 ± 63 oócitos.g1, enquanto que a fecundidade parcial variou entre 20 e 25% da fecundidade total. Uma vez que a espécie é amplamente capturada, sugere-se que seja definido um período de defeso de março a maio e que se estabeleça um tamanho mínimo de captura de 18,5 cm, para ambos os sexos, já que não há dimorfismo sexual evidente.(AU)