FECUNDITY OF CUTTLEFISH {SEPIA OFFICINALIS) DETERMINED FROM LABORATORY EGG LAYING: IMPLICATIONS FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 7, Volume 5, Issue 4, September 2001, Page 99-116 PDF (2.07 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2001.1711 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Howaida Gabr | ||||
| Marine Science Department, Suez Canal Univ, Ismailia, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Current method of estimating fecundity of Sepia qfficinalis is based on the number of laid eggs as actually observed . Data account of prolonged spawning in S> qfficinalis of this study were primarily based on observation of different-sized females reared from hatching. At the end of the experiment, the animals were dissected to check the maturation stage of the gonads and the presence of ova and tlieir developmental stage. The effective and potential fecundity were estimated. Fecundity of 5. qfficmalis was over most of the suggested fecundity for wild females, yet over the suggsted fecundity for captive animals. Potential fecundity estimates ranged from 5000 to 6000 at 140 mm mantle length and 1000 to 2000 at 120 mm ML. Batch size ranged from 5 to 46 batches. Spawning lasted from 25 to 165 days and the average time elapsed between batches was 1.6 to 7.35 days. The number ofoocytes destined to be matured in a season is decided prior to spawning and can be identified and counted before release of the first egg batch. An accurate estimate of these eggs should be at the beginning and end of the spawning, and their difference is considered to be the actual fecundity. All eggs < 2.0 mm diameter were considered potentially capable of being spawned. An attempt at improving scientific fishery management policy is made. The considerable benefits accruing from the laboratory behavior observations are described. These benefits would contribute towards the projecting future developments in commercial cuttlefish aquaculture particularly its breeding stage. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Cephalopods; S. qfficinalis; actual and potential fecundity | ||||
|
Statistics Article View: 333 PDF Download: 689 |
||||
