Reproductive characteristics of the ocean leatherjacket, Nelusetta ayraudi

摘要: The ocean leatherjacket (Nelusetta ayrau- di) is one of the largest members family Monacanthidae. Distributed throughout inshore waters around southern half Australia, this schooling species supports substantial commercial and recrea- tional fisheries. N. ayraudi do not conform to either general reproductive modes reported within family, but exhibit characteristics both strong social behaviour being promiscuous polygynous. Sexual dimorphism, with males females exhibiting differing colouration body shapes, ripe ovaries an order magnitude larger than testes, are characteristic pair spawning. In contrast, high batch fecundity (mean 320 oocytes per gram weight), similar sizes ages at sexual maturity (350 mm 2.5 years respectively) forma- tion large spawning aggregations in offshore polygy- nous. Similar many other coastal marine off east west coasts partial spawners during austral winter months restricted part their distribution that towards upper area prevailing currents. It hypothesized eastern Australia have evolved a life-history strategy whereby fish move northwards through time, occurs these more northern southerly flowing Eastern Australian Current facilitates dispersal eggs larvae southwards. characteris- tics described provide various options fishery managers who wish enhance sustainability increased egg production. These include spatial temporal fishing closures protect breeding period, protec- juveniles closures, improving selectivity gears and/or regulated minimum legal lengths.