Reproduction of black drum, Pogonias cromis, in Samborombon bay, Argentina

MACCHI, G. J.; ACHA, M.; LASTA, C.

Fisheries Research

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2002 vol. 59 p. 83 - 92

0165-7836

The reproductive biology of black drum, Pogonias cromis, collected during August 1998 – January 1999 from commercial catches in Samborombón Bay (Argentina) was studied using macroscopic and histological analysis of the gonads. Black drums are multiple spawners with indeterminate annual fecundity that spawn from October to January. Spawning frequency, determined from the percentage of females with postovulatory follicles, was 27 % during October 1998, 32 % during November 1998 and 14 % during December 1998. At these frequencies, each female on average spawned a new batch of eggs every 3 - 4 days during October – November and every 7 days during December 1998. Batch fecundity was positively correlated with total length and total weight (ovary-free) and ranged between 90,000 (66 cm TL) and 2,600,000 (130 cm TL) hydrated oocytes. Relative fecundity ranged from 22 to 146 hydrated oocytes per gram of ovary-free weight.