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Reproductive dynamics of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the southwestern Indian Ocean (Reunion Island). Part 1: oocyte development, sexual maturity and spawning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2009

François Poisson  and
Christian Fauvel
François Poisson
Affiliation:
IFREMER, Centre de Recherche halieutique méditerranéen et tropical, BP 171, avenue Jean Monnet, 34203 Sète Cedex, France
Christian Fauvel
Affiliation:
IFREMER, laboratoire Recherches aquacoles, chemin de Maguelone, 34250 Palavas-les-Flots, France
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Abstract

The reproductive dynamics of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) was investigated from catches of the Reunion Island-based longline swordfish fishery between 19–25 °S and 48–54 °E. Thus, 1727 swordfish (size range 75–289 cm, lower jaw-to-fork length, LJFL) were sampled on board commercial fishing vessels during the period of May 1998 to January 2001. Reproductive activity was assessed using macroscopic gonad characteristics, trends of gonadal indexes for both sexes, oocyte size-frequency distributions and microscopic investigation of oocyte development stages. Size at first maturity (L50) for female and male swordfish was estimated in Indian Ocean for the first time. L50 was estimated at 170 cm and 120 cm (LJFL) for females and males, respectively. Spawning occurred from October to April in the vicinity of Reunion Island where sex ratio of caught populations fluctuated seasonally. The seasonal changes in sex ratio and the incidence of larger individuals at the beginning of the spawning season provide some preliminary indications of synchronized movements of swordfish between spawning grounds and neighboring regions. Our results add significantly to knowledge about the reproductive biology of swordfish in the southwestern Indian Ocean. An overview of the available information on reproductive biology and dynamics of swordfish in Indian Ocean and eastern Pacific indicated that spawning activity is localized in discrete areas, and showed that there is incomplete information on spawning grounds in this extended area.

Keywords

ReproductionSex ratioSpawning seasonHistologySize at first maturitySeasonal distributionSwordfishXiphias gladiusIndian Ocean
Type
Research Article
Information
Aquatic Living Resources , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 45 - 58
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD, 2009

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