Reprodução da albacora branca Thunns alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788) capturada pela frota brasileira Espinheleira no Oceano Atlântico Sudoeste

Abstract

Albacore is one of the main species of tuna caught in the South Atlantic for tuna Brazilian fishing vessel. Moreover, it has a little knownledge available about albacore biology in this portion of Atlantic Ocean, mainly regard to reproduction, aim of this study. Histological analysis of 735 gonads (370 males and 365 females)captured in the southwest atlantic were conducted during 2005 to 2010. Fork length of specimens ranged from 89 cm to 138 cm. Gonad index was determined monthly and observed the spawning activity from September to March. also, females exhibiting hydrated oocytes and post ovulatory follicles indicating an imminent spawning stage and post spawning, respectively.The sex ratio prior the reproductive period was 1:1 (males:females) with males mainly in the larger length classes (> 114 cm FL). At the first sexual maturity the length was 92 cm for females and 100 cm for males. The batch fecundity ranged from 0.5 to 1.2 million oocytes with approximately 3.700 oocytes/g. The oocyte diameter frequency showed a parceled spawning due to the occurrence of successives modes of unyolked oocytes, yolked and hydrated. These results contribute with information about the reproduction of the species in the South Atlantic both these life history parameters will allow to assess the albacore stock from this region.