| Reproductive aspects of the Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei, were characterized, including a description of the development of oocytes and spermatogenic cells, size at first sexual maturity, and fecundity. A total of 540 fish were analyzed with 250 having their gonads sectioned to allow microscopic evaluation. Six maturity stages were identified for females and males: immature, maturing, mature, spawning, spawned, and resting. Fish standard length (SL) varied from 13.0 to 28.3 cm and sex ratio was 1.6 males: 1.0 females. Monthly distributions of mean Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and maturity stages suggest that spawning occurs mainly in a protracted period, during the warmer months, from November to March. The size of first sexual maturity was estimated... |
