Abstract
The reproductive status of Echinometra mathaei was studied at rocky shore of Buleji, Pakistan, North Arabian Sea from April 2011 to November 2012. This study investigated reproduction of this species by histological examination in order to characterize the reproductive pattern and evaluate the relationship with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a. The gonad color was not related to sex, only histological examination of gonad demonstrates sex differences. The gonad index (GI) of males and females E. mathaei showed significant temporal variations being highest in April’11 and showed weak correlations with seawater temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a. On the basis of gonadal histology E. mathaei showed seasonal spawning from autumn to winter (from September to January) which coincided with the peak of phytoplankton abundance in October–November in coastal waters of Pakistan. Spawning was synchronized between both sexes. The over-all sex ratio did not follow the 1:1 and was significantly in favor of females. Future studies on ecology of this species would contribute towards a better understanding and management of the rocky shore ecosystem of Pakistan.
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