Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study, gonadal changes of red mullet (Mullus barbatus L., 1758) were investigated by histologically in Antalya Bay of Eastern Mediterranean in Turkey. A total of 890 specimens were collected monthly between May 2015 and October 2016 from fishing boats. The age of 890 red mullets was found to range from 0+ to VI+. Their gonads were dissected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaldehyde. They were embedded in paraffin blocks after histochemical processes. The sectioned tissue samples were stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin and Masson Trichrome. Two different stages in females and in males were observed according to gonadal development. Histologically, female individuals had in immature female (66 fish, 0+-IV+ ages), chromatin-nucleolus (67 fish, I+-VI+ ages), perinucleolus (63 fish, I+-IV+ ages), cortical alveoli (55 fish, I+-V+ ages), vitellogenesis (50 fish, I+-V+ ages), maturity (39 fish, I+-VI+ ages) and post-ovulation stages (59 fish, I+-VI+ ages). Male individuals had in spermatogenesis (96 fish, 0+-VI+ ages), spermiogenesis (97 fish, I+-IV+ ages), spermiation (85 fish, I+-VI+ ages), sperm release (84 fish, I+-VI+ ages) and resting stages (116 fish, I+-VI+ ages). Results show that the spawning season of M. barbatus is between May and September, and that egg diameters range from 31.00 ± 15 to 428.00 ± 40 µm.
Highlights
Red mullet (M. barbatus) is a fish of high economic value and a member of the Mullidae family, 7 species of which are prevalent in the Mediterranean Sea
There are, no studies that histologically examine the gonadal development of Mullus barbatus L. in Antalya Bay of Turkey
Gonad growth and gamete development in M. barbatus were first observed between November and December
Summary
Red mullet (M. barbatus) is a fish of high economic value and a member of the Mullidae family, 7 species of which are prevalent in the Mediterranean Sea. The number of species of Mullidae family found in the Gulf of Antalya are six. These species are M. barbatus, M. surmuletus (native), Upeneus pori, U. moluccensis, U. tragula and Parupeneus forskalli (Red Sea origin) (Golani et al 2006; Bariche et al 2013; Bilecenoğlu et al 2014; Gökoğlu 2018). Histological studies on reproductive biology always provide more accurate and precise results. The aim of this study is to histologically determine the onset of reproductive activity and analyze developmental stages of egg cells in ovaries and sperm in gonads of M. barbatus in the Bay of Antalya. This study will provide preliminary histological data on the species, and pave the way for further research
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