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Reproductive biology of female Antarctic spiny plunderfish Harpagifer spinosus (Notothenioidei: Harpagiferidae), from Îles Crozet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2004

SILVINA VAN DER MOLEN
Affiliation:
Unitat de Zoologia, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
JESÚS MATALLANAS
Affiliation:
Unitat de Zoologia, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

On the basis of histological examination, we present the first description of oogenesis in H. spinosus. Eight stages of oocyte development were identified using morphological and histochemical criteria. The development of the oocytes is synchronous, and two clutches grow simultaneously in the ovary. Spawning takes place during the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Absolute fecundity is low, ranging from 787 to 1504 oocytes. The low fecundity is probably related to parental behaviour. Our data indicate that the features of the reproductive biology of H. spinosus, in spite of its unusual environment, are similar to those observed in other teleost fish.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2004

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