Ovarian analysis of the lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris (Actinopterygii: Lutjanidae), and considerations about its reproduction in Ceará State

Abstract

Some aspects of the reproductive biology in females of lane snapper,  Lutjanus synagris , were studied with the  objective to describing macroscopically the gonads, addressing their stages of sexual maturity and histological organization,  including the maturity stages of germinative cells. These descriptions give a support to fisheries biology investigations.  A total of 272 females, collected monthly between May, 2000 and April, 2001, in Mucuripe Bay, Fortaleza, Brazil, were  macroscopically evaluated, out of which 60 females were selected to provide ovarian material and histological sections.  The stages of ovarian development based on morphology were defined as: A – immature, B – in maturation, C – mature  and D – spent. The oocyte development phases were defined as: young germinative cells, pre-vitellogenic oocyte, final  vitellogenic oocyte and mature oocyte. The female’s mean length at first sexual maturity was estimated as 21.5 cm FL and  23.4 TL. The species presents multiple spawning, yet with a period of major reproductive activity from January to April,  and less intensive one, from August to December.