ANALISIS ON THE FECUNDITY OF ANCHOVY ENGRAULIS ANCHOITA HUBBS Y MARINI CAUGHT BY MAR DEL PLATA COASTAL FLEET IN OCTOBER 1987

Abstract

Estímales on the fecundity of Engraulisanchoita on thebasis of samples from Mar del Plata Coastal waters (38eS - 57° W) caugth in october 1987 are Updated. The gonads of 190 females were removed to be fixed in 10% formaldehyde and subsequently inmersed in paraffin to be colored with hematoxilin-eosin. Through microscopic analysis it was diagnosed that 23 gonads were in a State of full maturity. With them fecundity was calculated by using a stereometric technique (Weibel, 1969). The partial mean fecundity was 11.040 ova by specimen within a range of between 5.000 and 31.000 which, in decreasing correlative order, were Fec/gonad weight, gonad volume, total body weight, total body weighminus ovary, and size. In all cases, the best adjustment was the lineal type. Mean relative fecundity calculated as the number of ova pergram of total body weight minus ovary was 355± 190. Mean fecundity per cubiccentimeterof ovary was 3.485± 1.267. Such figuredid notchange in relation to the size or total weight of the specimen thus suggesting the possibility of using it as a parameter of fecundity that is characteristic of the species. However, due to the scarse number of observations, such a possibility should be duly verified.