The Fecundity, Gonadosomatic and Hepatosomatic Indicies of Pellonula Leonensis in the Lower Nun River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

摘要

The Fecundity, Gonadosomatic (GSI) and Hepatosomatic (HIS) Indicies of Pellonula leonensis were studied from May 2001 to April 2002 in the Lower Nun River, Niger Delta. The absolute fecundity (F) ranged from 348 eggs (Total length, TL = 5.70 cm) to 4075 eggs (TL = 6.30 cm) (with a mean of 2080.20±92.82 eggs). However, there was no significant seasonal variation in the fecundity. Relative fecundity ranged from 61 to 655 eggs/cm or 834 to 2828 eggs/g with overall means (±S.E) of 343±14 eggs/cm or 1410±51 eggs/g. Body weight was the best predictor for fecundity with a correlation value of 0.57. There was absence of significant variability in the mean monthly and seasonal GSI and HSI values indicating that P. leonensis had an all year round reproductive pulse in the Nun River.