Fecundidad y épocas de reproducción del "pargo mancha" Lutjanus guttatus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) en el Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica

Abstract

The reproduclive cyc1e of the spotted snapper Lutjanus guttatus was studied from January 1993 10 Januar 1994 al the Gulf of Nicoya. Costa Rica. The occurrene of mature fish over a prolonged period and high gonado somalic and condition indexes during a number of months lend additional evidence for a prolonged spawning season of Ihe lish. Size at first maturity was estimated a 32.0-32.9 cm total body length or TL (male) and 33.0-33.9 cm TL (female. Fecundity ranged from 1 363 000 (56.9 cm TL) to 60 454 (31.9 cm TL) eggs. Gonads analysis showed asynchronical development of the oocites with intermittent spawns.