SIZE AT FIRST SEXUAL MATURITY FOR FEMALE SHRIMP ARTEMESIA LONGINARIS BATE (DECAPODA, DENDROBRANCHIATA, PENAEIDAE) IN MAR DEL PLATA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA.

SCELZO M.; MANDIOLA A.; TEMPERONI B.; NÚÑEZ J.; SAL MOYANO M. P.; MARTINEZ ARCA J.

Florianópolis

Congreso; XII Congresso Latino-Americano de Cienciasdo Mar; 2007

Size at first physiological maturity (presence of mature oocytes) and behavioral maturity (presence of spermatophore in internal spermatheca as indication of copula) for female shrimp Artemesia longinaris Bate are reported. Samples of shrimps from Mar del Plata fishing grounds, Argentina, at depths between 4-10 m were taken during different months of the year 2006. A total of 691 individuals were sampled with sizes ranging from 3.7 – 21.7 mm carapace length (mmCL). Sperm were found in internal spermatheca of those female shrimps bigger than 6.2 mmCL. The presence of females with mature ovaries was variable along the year and related to sea water temperatures.  Females with mature ovaries were found during late winter, spring and summer (August to April). Mature oocytes were found in the ovaries of females shrimps bigger than 6.5 mmCL. A sigmoid curve estimating behavioral maturity was drawn and the average carapace length (Lm or L50) size at sexual maturity was CL50= 8.98 mmCL. Estimated age to reach the first sexual maturity for females was around three months (90 days) of life from spawning. The present information will be of great interest in reproductive biology, fisheries and reproduction in captivity of the species in aquaculture activities.