Gonadal maturity scale females of big eye flounder Hippoglossina macrops (Steindachner, 1876)

Abstract

Big eye flounder Hippoglossina macrops is a potential resource, whose biology is not well known. It has a wide latitudinal (3°S-8°S) and bathymetric (up to 90 and 380 m depth) distribution. To determine the gonadal maturity scale of females, 570 ovaries were collected and analyzed on Demersal Trawl Surveys from 2003 to 2007. Six stages of gonadal maturation were determined: 0 (virgin), I (resting), II (maturing), III (mature), IV (spawning), V (recovery) which allow knowing with greater certainty, reproductive condition of this resource and its main breeding period.