• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.169-181
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• 2008

Reproductive ecology of the silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus were investigated by histological observations and morphometric data. Samples were collected by the stow net at the coastal area of Jaun-Do, Muan-gun, Korea, from January to December, 2006. P. argenteus is dioecious, the ovary is composed of many ovarian lobules, showing a pair of saccular structure, and the testis is composed of many seminiferous lobules, showing a pair of lobular structure. From February (growing stage) to September (after spawning), monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and condition factor in females and males showed similar patterns with the gonad developmental phases. Judging from the results of their indice, it is assumed that spawning in females and males occur from May to July. The reproductive cycle can be classified into five successive stages in females: early growing stage (February to March), late growing stage (March to April), mature stage (March to July), ripe and spent stage (May to July), and recovery and resting stage (July to February); in males, the cycle can be divided into four successive stages: growing stage (February to April), mature stage (March to June), ripe and spent stage (May to July), and recovery and resting stage (July to February). According to the frequency distributions of egg diameters in the breeding season, P. argenteus is presumed to be spring-summer spawning species and polycyclic species to spawn 2 times or more during one spawning season. Number of total eggs in absolute fecundity were proportional to body length and body weight, respectively. Number of total eggs in absolute fecundity per body weight were also proportional to the body length, but if the increase of body weight considerably increased, rather total eggs in relative fecundity decreased with the increase of body weight. Percentage of first sexual maturity of P. argenteus were over 50% in females and males of 12.1 to 15.0 cm in body length, and 100% for fishes over 18.1 cm in length. Therefore, both sexes were regarded to be sexually mature at one year of age.