Breeding patterns in the pre-desert oniscid isopod Porcellio buddelundi of Matmata (Gabès,Tunisia)

Porcellio buddelundi inhabits arid areas in Tunisia. The reproductive pattern of a population at Oued El Jir, Matmata (Tunisia) was studied from July 2005 to June 2006. Monthly samples were taken during the study period. The overall sex ratio was biased toward females. Males, females, and newborns all had greater body-mass in autumn than in spring and their lowest mean body-mass was in June and July. Ovigerous females greater than 41.1 mg in body-mass, were collected from March through May and from September through October, suggesting seasonal reproduction with two breeding seasons: the longer one in spring (3 months) and another in the fall (2 months). Fecundity, which was positively correlated with the body-mass of females, varied between breeding seasons with a large number in spring and a small number in autumn. Seasonal variation of fecundity could be explained by the growth rate of ovigerous females affecting the fecundity more in spring than in autumn. The onset of breeding, in P. buddelundi, takes place when the day-length exceeds 12 h and the soil moisture decreases.     

Reproductive biology of Philodryas patagoniensis (Snakes: Dipsadidae) in south Brazil: Female reproductive cycle

In this study, we describe the female reproductive cycle of Philodryas patagoniensis in south Brazil, which was described through morpho‐anatomical and histological analyses. The peak of secondary vitellogenesis occurred during winter–spring (July–December), ovulation in spring (October–December), mating and fertilization in spring–summer (October–February), oviposition in spring–autumn (October–May) and births from late spring to autumn (December–July). The diameter of vitellogenic follicles/eggs was larger in winter–spring than in other seasons. The diameter of the shell glands was also larger in winter–spring. In spite of the clear reproductive peak, gonads only showed reduced activity in the autumn. Therefore, at the individual level, females have a discontinuous cyclical reproduction; in the populational level, the reproductive cycle is seasonal semisynchronous. We support the hypothesis that P. patagoniensis have the ability to produce multiple clutches with long‐term stored sperm. Sexual dimorphism in body size was evident, and females are significantly larger and heavier than males. Larger females were able to produce follicles and eggs in larger amount and size. The maternal body size was positively related to the reproductive effort and fecundity. To conclude, we deliberated about the proximal and distal causes that influence the reproductive traits and patterns of P. patagoniensis.     

Goosefish Lophius americanus fecundity and spawning frequency,with implications for population reproductive potential

To improve knowledge of goosefish Lophius americanus' reproductive biology, females were collected during 2009–2012 from the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelf region of the U.S. east coast. Batch fecundity increased with total length (L_T), from 229 100 to 2 243 300 mature oocytes per female (L_T range: 55·5–112 cm; n = 54). This estimate of fecundity at L_T is lower than one derived from a sample collected during 1982–1985. Examination of whole oocyte diameters in different months indicated that L. americanus is a serial spawner, releasing more than one egg veil per spawning season, as suspected or observed for other Lophius species. Seasonality of spawning was evident from whole oocytes and gonad histology, and from larval fish surveys spanning the U.S. north‐east shelf, and confirmed a protracted (c. 6 months) spawning period. Peak spawning activity progressed northward from spring to autumn. The population‐level implications of these results were explored by estimating population reproductive potential (P_RP), which considered the value of both current and future per capita reproduction using decade‐specific age structure and fecundity at length. P_RP is now more than 50% lower compared with the historical period (1982–1985), a result of the lower proportions of large females and reduced fecundity across all sizes. Mechanisms that could explain this loss of stock productivity are fishing‐induced size–age truncation or regime shifts in egg production caused by changes in energy density of common forage species.     

Seasonal variation in the gametogenic ecology of the Antarctic scallop<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Adamussium colbecki</Emphasis>

Quasi-monthly samples of the Antarctic pectinid bivalve Adamussium colbecki were examined to determine the gametogenic pattern and periodicity. Both female and male gametogenic patterns show a very distinct seasonal development, with the initiation of gametogenesis in October and spawning in late September and early October of the following year. The duration of the gametogenic cycle is unusually short for Antarctic benthos, being 12 months. Reproductive effort (ratio of gonad mass to total tissue mass) is significantly higher in males than females, and males are ready to spawn earlier in the austral winter than females. The digestive gland also shows a strong seasonal cycle but develops earlier than the gonad. We propose that energy from the spring bloom is stored in the digestive gland before being transferred to the gonads. Gonad size, digestive-gland size and, to a lesser extent, adductor-muscle size, are related to adult size in most samples. The length of the gametogenic cycle suggests that reproduction in A. colbecki is more pectinid than Antarctic.     

LATITUDINAL TRENDS IN THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE SEASONALITY OF DELESSERIA SANGUINEA,MEMBRANOPTERA ALATA,AND PHYCODRYS RUBENS (RHODOPHYTA)1

The seasonality of Delesseria sanguinea, Membranoptera alata, and Phycodrys rubens (Rhodophyta) was studied at Helgoland (North Sea, Germany) and Roscoff (Brittany, France). Plants were collected at bimonthly intervals, and growth and reproduction were monitored. Growth of blades was observed mainly in spring, although small blades were found on plants of M. alata and P. rubens all year round. In summer, plants started to degenerate and in autumn they became fertile. The reproductive season of D. sanguinea lasted from October to February/April at both locations, whereas reproductive plants of M. alata and P. rubens were found until April at Helgoland and until June and August, respectively, in Roscoff_: Lower winter temperatures at Helgoland than at Rascoff may have caused these differences in the duration of the reproductive season. Using published data, the seasonal patterns at Helgoland and Roscoff were compared to those found at other locations (e.g. Barents Sea; Maine, USA; Isle of Man, UK) and local temperature/daylength conditions. Blade growth was synchronized across all populations and occurred in spring, when temperatures were usually still suboptimal for growth. Maximum reproduction was generally found in the colder half of the year but started earlier in autumn in the Barents Sea. Adaptive strategies in the seasonal control of growth and reproduction are discussed. Adequate timing of the history events (e.g. appearance of juveniles in spring) appears more important than maximal growth and reproduction of adults during the season with the most favorable temperatures.     

Breeding biology of Tenagomysis tasmaniae Fenton,Anisomysis mixta australis (Zimmer) and Paramesopodopsis rufa Fenton from south-eastern Tasmania (Crustacea: Mysidacea)

The number, size and developmental stage of young in the brood pouch of female Tenagomysis tasmaniae, Anisomysis mixta australis and Paramesopodopsis rufa was recorded throughout the year. Breeding was intensive from spring till the end of autumn for the three species. Calculation of the egg ratio for each species showed that their major reproductive peaks occurred during spring and summer. A winter depression in the breeding cycle was observed for T. tasmaniae and P. rufa, but A. mixta australis ceased breeding during winter. Seasonal variation in the length of gravid females and number of young carried was evident for these three species. Females were longer in spring and summer and carried more young than in autumn and winter. A linear relationship between female length and brood size was demonstrated for each species; annual and seasonal equations were calculated for females carrying each developmental stage. The seasonal equations showed that for a female of given length fecundity was greater during spring than any other season. Natality was estimated to be highest during late spring, summer and early autumn for the three species. No seasonal variation in the size of eggs was evident for the three species. The reproduction pattern of T. tasmaniae, A. mixta australis and P. rufa appears to be very similar to that reported for the majority of iteroparous coastal temperate mysids throughout the world.     

Seasonal patterns of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus abundance and reproductive condition on the New York Bight continental shelf

To resolve varied and sometimes conflicting accounts of spawning and habitat characteristics for winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus, seasonal patterns in abundance and reproductive condition were investigated in the New York Bight, near the southern edge of their current reproductive range. Fish were collected from trawl surveys on the inner continental shelf from October 2006 to October 2007. Pseudopleuronectes americanus were most abundant during January and April surveys, were rarely collected in August, with intermediate abundances in June and October. Measurements of fish condition [hepato‐somatic index (I_H), condition factor (K) and the per cent dry mass of muscle tissue (%M_D)] and reproductive condition [gonado‐somatic index (I_G)] were determined to evaluate seasonal changes in energy accumulation and depletion and reproduction. Males and females had similar patterns in body and reproductive condition, although the magnitude of change was greater for females. I_H values were highest during spring and early summer, suggesting increased feeding following spawning. K and %M_D increased through spring and summer then declined in the autumn and winter concurrent with gonadal development. Gonads began developing in the autumn, and in January, I_G values approached spawning levels, with many spent individuals collected in spring. Within these general patterns, however, there was a large degree of variability among individuals, and a few mature non‐reproductive (‘skipped spawning’) females were observed. In the period after spawning, increased energy intake, indicated by increased I_H, may influence reproductive output since this energy is gradually transferred to the muscle and used for gonadal development in the forthcoming year. The occurrence of ripening individuals on the inner continental shelf in January suggests that these fish either rapidly move into estuaries to spawn by February–March or they remain on the inner shelf to spawn, or some combination of these. Future studies should evaluate these possibilities, as both estuarine and inner shelf habitats are potentially affected by activities such as dredging, sand dredging and wind energy development.     

Sexual Maturation, Annual Reproductive Cycle, and Spawning Periodicity of the Shore Scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes littoralis

The ovarian structure, sexual maturation, annual reproductive cycle, and spawning periodicity of the shore scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes littoralis, in Uchiura Bay, central Japan, were examined using specimens collected between May 1995 and March 1998 and fishes reared in laboratory. The ovarian stroma and blood vessels run longitudinally through the center of each ovarian lobe. The ovarian peduncles radiate from the central stroma. During the spawning season, gelatinous material is secreted from the epithelia of both the ovarian peduncle and ovarian wall, and the epithelia show morphological changes accompanying the ovarian maturation cycle. The minimum standard length at maturity was 55.2mm for males and 40.2mm for females. Males with mature testes were collected from March to November. Females in the mature or post spawning stages were collected between May and October, when the mean gonadosomatic indices were also high. This indicates that the spawning season of this species occurs between May and October. Four successive types of oocytes were grouped in the mature ovary, comprised of mature, late and early vitellogenic and previtellogenic oocytes respectively, suggesting that this species is a multiple spawner. Four captive females spawned repeatedly at intervals of 2–8 days over a prolonged period (4–8 months); a 2-day spawning interval was the most common for all females. This suggests that female S. littoralis have a 48-h spawning cycle in captivity.     

Seasonal races of chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis> and their interrelations in Kamchatka Rivers

Dates of migration and spawning, size-age structure, and fecundity of seasonal races of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta from the Kol River are reviewed, those of early summer, late summer, and autumn races, as well as localization and structure of their spawning grounds, bed-sediment particle size in the redds, hydrological and thermal conditions on spawning grounds, and meristic characters of races. Special traits of reproduction of seasonal races within the species range and in Kamchatka in particular are discussed. The number of seasonal races in rivers depends on the presence of various habitats suitable for spawning. In rivers with complicated hydrogeomorphological structure, the number of seasonal races increases. Variations of types of seasonal races in a particular river and in the whole species area are epigenetic, i.e., they depend on the hereditary genetic program and presence of conditions providing its realization via various channels.     

Materials on some aspects of reproductive biology of Whitson’s grenadier <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrourus whitsoni</Emphasis> (Macrouridae) in the Ross Sea

Data on oogenesis, spawning, and fecundity of Whitson’s grenadier Macrourus whitsoni in the Ross Sea (Antarctica) are presented. During maturation of oocytes, their development becomes asynchronous, and their hydration occurs only in a part of the cells; thus, oocytes are released in batches. Spawning is observed in summer of the southern hemisphere. Based on a preliminary assessment, the average absolute individual fecundity reaches 28000 eggs, and average relative fecundity is approximately 11 eggs/g of the total body weight. The possibility of none-synchronous release of oocytes is discussed in other Antarctic fishes.     

Reproductive guilds (maturation,spawning frequency and fecundity) in the black pomfret,Parastromateus niger (Carangidae) in the Kuwaiti waters of the Arabian Gulf

Oogenesis, oocyte maturation pattern, spawning rhythm, spawning frequency, batch fecundity and oocyte diameter–frequency distribution of the black pomfret, Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) in Kuwaiti waters were investigated from October 2003 to September 2005, using histological and morphological methods. The process of development is divided into four major phases: (i) primary growth phase; (ii) secondary growth phase; (iii) maturation phase; and (iv) spawning phase, followed by the regressed phase. Development of the yolky oocyte is an asynchronous process resulting, by the time of oocyte maturation, in a clear differentiation between a ready batch of oocytes (ready for spawning) and a reserve pool. Consequently, P. niger is capable of spawning multiple times throughout the reproductive season. Spawning frequency estimates, based on final oocyte maturation (FOM) method indicated that the species spawns once every 2.8 days during an 8‐month spawning season lasting from February to September, with a potential annual number of 22.4 spawns. Batch fecundity (BF) (2132–2001 648, mean 406 010 eggs), was significantly positively related to both standard length (SL) (P < 0.05) and ovary‐free body weight (OFBW) (P < 0.05), both parameters being good predictors of BF (r² = 30.8% for SL, from 22 cm onwards, and r² = 29.6% for OFBW, from 129.5 g onwards). No significant differences in monthly BF were found throughout the spawning season. Relative batch fecundity was 336 eggs/g OFBW; thus, estimate for potential annual relative batch fecundity was 7526 eggs g^?1 OFBW. The oocyte diameter–frequency distribution analysis revealed a multimodal distribution (at 100–200, 300–400 and 500–700 μm), confirming the evidence of multiple spawning.     

Reproduction mode of European Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus,Bloch, 1782) determined through rapid oocyte counts and size determination using digital imaging

This study focuses on assessing the reproduction mode of an important model species for evolutionary and behavioural ecology by using digital image analysis: the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782). Specifications of mode of reproduction were determined using oocyte size distribution, seasonal dynamics in mean oocyte diameter and total number of oocytes in ovary samples gained from April to July 2007. The rapid oocyte count was enabled by using lucia image analysis software, which also provided measurement and colour estimations of oocytes. Bitterling ovaries showed features typical for indeterminate spawners, i.e. a continuous distribution of oocyte size over the reproductive season and recruitment of new pre‐vitelogenic oocytes in the second half of the reproductive season. These results are consistent with the view that the European bitterling is a batch spawning fish with indeterminate fecundity.     

Oogenesis and larval development of Ephydatia fluviatilis (Porifera,Spongillidae)

Summary In Ephydatia fluviatilis young oocytes already appear in autumn. They pass the winter in the highly reduced sponge, but vitellogenesis and further development do not take place before following spring. The fact that the young oocytes appear before the normal period of reproduction makes E. fluviatilis different from all other local freshwater sponges, which reduce totally in autumn. E. fluviatilis seems to be a gonochorist. The oocytes originate from archaeocytes and during the first growth phase they reach a diameter of approximately 40 m. In the second growth phase the oocyte is enclosed in a single-layered follicle epithelium and grows to 170–180 m by phagocytosis of trophocytes. The fully developed egg cell finally shows a distinct layering of the incorporated yolk material. Cleavage is totally equal to unequal so that macro- and micromeres appear in some cleavage stages. Cleavage leads to a solid embryo consisting of uniform cells. At this stage of development the first scleroblasts appear. As the cells develop they are surrounded by companion cells, managing the transport of the scleroblasts. The further development to the larva is marked by the appearance of the larval cavity, typical for larvae of Spongillids, which finally occupies about half the volume of the larva at emergence. The periphery of the larva consists of a single-layered ciliated epithelium. After emergence the larva forms flagellated chambers, which are integrated into the primordia of the excurrent canal system. This system connects with the larval cavity and ensures that it becomes part of the excurrent canal system of the young sponge. Particularly in the region of the larval cavity the ciliated epithelium of the free larva is reduced. Here a new larval surface epithelium is formed by pinacocytes.     

Reproductive strategy of Labeo senegalensis Valenciennes 1842 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Ouémé basin,Benin

Aspects of the reproductive biology and population structure of Labeo senegalensis were investigated in the Ouémé River between April 2005 and March 2006. Reproductive strategy was investigated using gonadosomatic index, ovarian structure and fecundity. Average size-at-first-maturity (L ₅₀) was estimated at 29 cm TL for females and 25.7 cm TL for males. The average sex ratio (1:0.96) was not significantly different from unity. Oocyte diameter frequency distribution suggests synchronous development with a single total spawning. Absolute fecundity ranged between 12 948 and 74 832 eggs. Labeo senegalensisis a highly fecund fish that presents a seasonal cycle of reproduction from May to October during the rainy season.     

Timecourse of oocyte development in saithe Pollachius virens

Wild caught North Sea saithe Pollachius virens were monitored for growth, sex steroid profiles and oocyte development pre‐spawning and measured for egg size and group fecundity during the spawning season in the laboratory. Vitellogenesis commenced in late October–early November, at a leading cohort size (C_L) of c. 250 µm, after which oocytes grew rapidly in size until spawning started in February. Notably, a distinct cortical alveoli stage was virtually absent with yolk granules observed in developing oocytes at the very beginning of vitellogenesis. Little atresia was observed pre‐spawning, but atretic re‐absorption of remnant oocytes containing yolk granules was found in all females immediately post‐spawning. As expected, concentrations of sex steroids, oestradiol‐17β (females), testosterone (both sexes) and 11‐ketotestosterone (both sexes), increased pre‐spawning before dropping post‐spawning. The present experiment provides the first validation of sex steroid levels in P. virens. Post‐ovulatory follicles were visible in histological sections from female gonads 9–11 months post‐spawning, but then disappeared. Spawning commenced around a C_L of c. 750 µm (700–800 µm). Hydrated oocytes (eggs) measured between 1·04 and 1·31 mm (mean = 1·18 mm) with decreasing sizes towards the end of spawning. The average estimated realized fecundity was c. 0·84 million eggs (median female total length, L_T = 60 cm). Spawning lasted from 13 February to 29 March.     

DNA sequence analysis of mitochondrial Cyt-b and the species status ofLaniarius dubiosus (Rchw. 1899)

In 1899Reichenow described an african bushshrike in juvenile plumage as a new species. He named itLaniarius dubiosus. DNA from type material (feathers and skin) was extracted and DNA sequences from the mitochondrial Cyt-b gene were analysed. Comparisons of DNA-sequences from other bushshrikes (including the type-specimen from Luehder's bushshrikeLaniarius lühderi) support the judgement that dubiosus does not represent a full species rather than a representative of the western subspecies of the Luehder's bushshrikeLaniarius luehderi.

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Zusammenfassung Der vonReichenow (1899) als neue Art beschriebene, sich im Jugendkleid befindliche BuschwürgerLaniarius dubiosus ist nach DNA-Sequenzanalysen des mitochondrialen Cyt-b Genes mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit ein Jungvogel der westlichen Rasse des BraunscheitelwürgersLaniarius lühderi. Auf der Basis eines DNA-Stammbaumes von sieben verschiedenen Buschwürgern ist der 1991 neu beschriebeneLaniarius liberatus am wenigsten eng mitL. dubiosus verwandt.

     

Butterfly migration from and to peninsular Florida

Abstract.

• 1 Migrating butterflies were monitored with traps for 10 years at a site in north peninsular Florida, to determine seasonal and annual variation in numbers and directions of flight.
• 2 In the spring, 81–96% of the principal migrants, Phoebis sennae (L.), Agraulis vanillae (L.), Precis coenia (Hübner) and Urbanus proteits (L.), flew northward; in the autumn, 86–95% flew southward.
• 3 Estimated mean net numbers of these four species flying northward in spring across each ENE-WSW metre were 3, 6, 69 and <1 respectively; numbers flying southward in autumn were 222, 413, 37 and 146.
• 4 During a 5-year period, the ratio of highest to lowest seasonal migration for a species did not exceed 9.3.
• 5 The average median date of spring migration was 27 March for P.sennae, 23 April for P.coenia, and 12 May for A.vanillae. The average median date of autumn migration was 2–5 October except for U.proteus, whose average date was 14 October.
• 6 The autumn migratory period, as measured by the duration of the middle half of migration, was about 2 weeks in P.coenia and about 4 weeks in the other three species.
• 7 Compared to previously reported butterfly migrations, the ones studied here were notably uniform in magnitude and regular in timing.
• 8 These and other data suggest that 4 million or more of these butterflies migrate northward from peninsular Florida almost every spring and that 40 million or more migrate southward to peninsular Florida almost every autumn.

     

Reproductive Stage of the Life Cycle in the Rhizocephalan Barnacle Polyascus polygenea (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

The specific features of the reproductive stage of the life cycle have been studied in the rhizocephalan barnacle Polyascus polygenea, a parasite of the coastal crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus. It is shown that a single crab can bear 1 to 8 externae of P. polygenea. The fecundity of the parasite depends on the size of the externae and their number on the host and may reach as much as 50000 eggs for one externa. In Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan, this species repeatedly reproduces during the entire spring–autumn period; externae with developing embryos in the mantle cavity occur from May to September, and planktonic larvae occur from June to October. One externa produces during the season of reproduction no less than three generations of larvae. Thus, the reproductive strategy in P. polygenea comprises a three-stage cascade of reproduction: asexual reproduction via budding of the interna; the development of several generations of one or several externae; and several reproduction cycles of each externa. This allows the parasite to produce a very great number of larvae and ensures the parasitization of a significant proportion of the host crab population. The structure of the ovaries and oogenesis in rhizocephalans and free-living cirripede barnacles have many common features, which provides evidence for integration of these two groups within one monophyletic taxon.     

Reproductive biology of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns 1842) in the Río Ovando,a high‐latitude environment in southernmost Patagonia,Argentina

This study establishes the reproductive cycle, batch fecundity and oocyte diameter of a diadromic population of the puyen, Galaxias maculatus, in the Río Ovando, Tierra del Fuego, (54°S), at the southernmost limit of its distribution. Given the short ‘favourable season’ in relation to other populations of the species (in terms of temperature, photoperiod and food availability), the study also explores the trade‐offs between feeding and oocyte production and between phases of growth and reproduction. The reproductive cycle was analyzed by the monthly evolution of the proportion of gonadal maturity stages (determined from microscopic examination of the gonads). Oocytes were measured using a micrometric ocular scale and classified by diameter and morphological characteristics; absolute fecundity was established as the total number of hydrated oocytes per ovary. The studied population exhibits a repetitive spawning strategy, given the coexistence of post‐ovullatory follicles and hydrated oocytes in histological sections and the presence in ripe ovaries of an intermediate cohort of yolked oocytes ready for hydration. Individual fecundity is lower (1422 ± 422 oocytes/ovary) than in other puyen populations, but the egg production increases through individual repetitive spawnings during the protracted spawning period (from October to February). Females attain larger sizes than those of other South American populations (the largest female reaching 115 mm total length), maximizing its potential fecundity. The present paper contributes to the knowledge of the variability of reproductive traits of G. maculatus in relation to diadromic populations, given that the bulk of information in South America refers to landlocked populations.     

Spawning frequency, fecundity, egg weight and spawning type of silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen) (Stromateidae), in Kuwait waters

Silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus, were collected by fishing with drift gillnets on one spawning ground in Kuwait waters during 1998–2000. Fish size frequency, sex ratio, maturation cycle, spawning frequency, fecundity and egg weight were assessed. The length–weight relationship differed between sexes whereby females were significantly bigger than males. Spawning started in mid‐May and continued until early October. During this time the water temperature ranged from 26.0 to 32.8°C, salinity was ? 39.0‰ and water depth ranged between 5 and 12 m. Large females spawned earlier than young spawners and the overall percentage of males during the spawning period was 70.3%. Spawning occurred after 13.00 h, with peak spawning between 15.00 and 18.00 hours during outgoing tide. Mean daily spawning frequency amounted to 63.2%. Spawning activity was found to be associated with the lunar cycle and spawnings were concentrated during the first and third quarters of the moon period, indicating a semilunar reproduction cycle. It was concluded that a female would spawn at least six times during the season. No change was observed in relative fecundity during the peak spawning season (June–August). Average relative batch fecundity was 176.3 eggs g^?1 somatic weight (SW), corresponding to a relative total fecundity of 1058 eggs g^?1 SW, which is 1.5 times higher than estimates obtained from counting the standing stock of oocytes. Bigger fish produced heavier eggs and the egg weight decreased as the spawning season progressed. Based on gonadal cycles, oocyte size frequency distribution and total fecundity, we concluded that silver pomfret is a multiple batch spawner with indeterminate fecundity.