Validation of macroscopic maturity scales of some fishes according to microscopic analysis

Abstract

In this paper we describe macroscopic gonad grading key, validated by microscopic analysis, of ten species: Engraulis ringens Peruvian anchovy, Merluccius gayi peruanus South Pacific hake, Sarda chiliensis chiliensis Eastern Pacific bonito, Scomber japonicus peruanus chub mackerel, Anchoa nasus long nose anchovy, Paralabrax humeralis Peruvian rock seabass, Paralichthys adspersus fine flounder, Cynoscion analis Peruvian weakfish, Hippoglossina macrops big eye flounder and Vinciguerria lucetia. All the maturity grading key have six stages of maturity for females and males which are: 0 (virgin), I (resting), II (maturing), III (mature), IV (spawning/running milt), V (recovery/ spent). Features and clear criteria for differences between maturity stages of each species are described, discussing the importance of validation and its many applications.