SIZE AND AGE AT FIRST MATURITY OF THE CRUCIFIX SEA CATFISH, Sciades proops (VALENCIENNES, 1840) (SILURIFORMES: ARIIDAE), CAUGHT OFF WESTERN MARANHÃO STATE, BRAZIL

Authors

  • James Werllen de Jesus Azevedo Mestrando do Curso de Pós-Graduação em Sustentabilidade de Ecosistemas, Universidade Federal do Maranhão
  • Antonio Carlos Leal de Castro Professor Titular do Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão
  • Heliene Leite Ribeiro Porto Professora Adjunta do Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão
  • Paulo Roberto Sousa Lima Mestre em Aquicultura e Pesca, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32360/acmar.v43i2.6003

Keywords:

crucifix sea catfish, Sciades proops, gonad maturation, size, age

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine size and age at first maturity of the crucifix sea catfish, Sciades proops, on the western coast of the state of Maranhão (Brazil) between the cities of São Luís (2° 32’S-44° 18’W) and Turiaçu (1°20’S- 45°20’W) from November, 2005 to August, 2006. One hundred sixty-one specimens were caught with gillnets operating at thesurface, middle of the water column and bottom over a complete tide cycle. Mean size at first maturity for males and females was estimated as 35.2 cm and 36.6 cm, corresponding to 1.7 and 1.8 years, respectively. All males and females are able to reproduce at 41.7 cm and 44.7 cm, respectively. The results indicate larger variations in reproductive size for the species investigated when compared to data available in the literature.

Downloads

Published

2010-11-01

Issue

Section

Artigos originais