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Reproductive Biology of Sheepshead in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
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1992
Year
Fishery AssessmentCaprineFertilityReproductive BiologyReproductive EndocrinologyGonadal DevelopmentPublic HealthGonadosomatic Index ValuesReproductive SuccessFishery ScienceLouisiana Coastal WatersBiologyAnimal ReproductionTheriogenologyAnimal ScienceNatural SciencesEvolutionary BiologyMarine BiologyAnimal BreedingNorthern Gulf
Abstract Sheepsheads Archosargus probatocephalus collected from commercial and recreational catches in Louisiana coastal waters were group-synchronous fractional spawners. Spawning occurred during late February through late April. Gonadosomatic index values corresponded with histological examination of gonads with regard to onset of gonadal development, peak spawning, and cessation of spawning activity; however, specific events could not be identified from gonadosomatic index values alone. Estimates of batch fecundity and spawning frequency were inconclusive in this study because of sample design. Most individuals were mature by age 2. All males over age 3 and all females over age 4 in our study were mature.