Abstract
ABSTRACT Reproductive biology of the Brazilian menhaden, Brevoortia aurea (Clupeiformes), was studied in Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon. Its abundance was analysed in relation to environmental variables, and the main biological-reproductive parameters were estimated: size at first maturity, batch and relative fecundity, frequency distribution of oocyte diameters and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Moreover, its reproductive cycle was analysed histologically. Samples were collected from May 2012 to April 2013. Once the spawning period was detected, extra samples were added (October and November 2013). The specimens were caught with gillnets, at a distance of 2,300 meters from the mouth of the lagoon. The highest abundances were observed in the months of October and November. Both macroscopic and microscopic analysis allowed to confirm that in these months the saraca spawn in the mixo-eurihaline area of the lagoon. Females were recorded in the five phases of ovarian development. Histological and frequency distribution of oocyte diameters characterized this species as a batch spawner with undetermined fecundity. The fecundity varied between 19,900 and 178,508 oocytes/female. Relative fecundity ranged between 41 and 381 oocytes/g female ovary free. The size at first maturity was estimated on 277 and 265 mm total length for females and males, respectively.
Highlights
Members of Clupeidae are typically marine, coastal and schooling fishes, found in all seas from 70° N to about 60° S (Carpenter, 2002)
Specimens of B. aurea captured in this study tolerated wide range of salinities, from almost fresh (0.7 psu) to full-strength sea water (33 psu)
The highest Capture per unit effort (CPUE) values were recorded in October, and November (Fig. 2)
Summary
Members of Clupeidae are typically marine, coastal and schooling fishes, found in all seas from 70° N to about 60° S (Carpenter, 2002). Clupeids typically form large schools and generally scatter pelagic eggs that hatch planktonic larvae (Munroe & Nizinski, 2002). The species of the genus Brevoortia constitute important fisheries and ecological representatives both, on the northwest and southwest Atlantic Oceans (Deegan, 1993; Forward et al, 1996; Vaughan, 2007). The existence of two large-scaled Southwestern Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia aurea (Spix & Agassiz, 1829) and B. pectinata (Jenyns, 1842) have been reported to be occurring from state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) to the Río de la Plata estuary (Whitehead, 1985; Lasta & Ciechomski, 1988). Cousseau & Díaz de Astarloa (1993), Segura & Díaz de Astarloa (2004) and García et al (2008) concluded that B. aurea (locally called as “saraca”) is the only species of the genus inhabiting the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
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