TY - JOUR AU - Dadzie, Stephen PY - 2007/06/30 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Vitellogenesis, oocyte maturation pattern, spawning rhythm and spawning frequency in Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801) (Sciaenidae) in the Kuwaiti waters of the Arabian Gulf JF - Scientia Marina JA - Sci. mar. VL - 71 IS - 2 SE - Articles DO - 10.3989/scimar.2007.71n2239 UR - https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/3 SP - 239-248 AB - <p align=justify>Vitellogenesis, oocyte maturation pattern, spawning rhythm, spawning frequency, batch fecundity and oocyte diameter-frequency distribution of the tigertooth croaker, <em>Otolithes ruber</em> (Schneider, 1801) in Kuwaiti waters were investigated from March 1999 to February 2000 and from January to May 2005, using histological and morphological methods. Oogenesis is described in four phases: vitellogenic, mature, spent and regressed. Vitellogenesis, in turn, is described in three classes: early vitellogenic, mid-vitellogenic and late vitellogenic. Development of the yolky oocyte is an asynchronous process resulting, by the time of oocyte maturation, in a clear differentiation between a ready batch of oocytes (ready for spawning) and a reserve pool. Consequently, <em>O. ruber</em> is capable of spawning multiple times during the reproductive season. Spawning frequency estimates, based on the final oocyte maturation (FOM) method indicated that the species spawns once every 2.8 days, while the estimates based on the post-ovulatory follicle (POF) method indicated a spawning every 2.2 days, during a 5-month spawning season lasting from January to May. Batch fecundity (BF) was significantly positively correlated with both ovary-free body weight (OFBW) (p<0.05) and standard length (SL) (p<0.05), but SL was a better predictor of BF (r<sup>2</sup> = 33%) than was OFBW (r<sup>2</sup> = 19.9%). Batch fecundity was also significantly different between March and April (p<0.05) and March and May (p<0.05), but not between April and May (p>0.05). Relative batch fecundity was 716 eggs/g OFBW; thus, estimates for potential annual relative batch fecundity were 10024 eggs/g OFBW using the FOM method for spawning frequency estimation, and 7876 eggs/g OFBW using the POF method. The oocyte diameter-frequency distribution analysis revealed a multimodal distribution, confirming the evidence of multiple spawning. </p> ER -