The breeding cycle of male <i>Liza dumerili</i> (Teleostei: Mugilidae) in the mouth of the Swartkops wstuary

Abstract

The breeding cycle of male Liza dumerili was studied in the Swartkops Estuary using a visual index, a gonosomatic index and a histological index. Histological studies were superior to any other means of establishing the breeding cycle in detail. Male fish were in the inactive or non-breeding state during the winter months. During early spring the gonads started to mature and full ripeness was attained during December and January. January and February were the main spawning months, and in addition a short spawning peak might be present during October. The seasonal appearance of spermatogonia in the testes is discussed.