| Virginia
Journal of Science.
2002. Vol 53 (1) : 3-11 |
| Reproduction
of Black Drum, Pogonias cromis, from the Chesapeake Bay Region. Brian K. Wells and Cynthia M. Jones, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. ABSTRACT
Ovaries of black drum, Pogonias cromis, collected from
Chesapeake Bay region in 1992, were used to describe reproductive
strategy and fecundity. Histological examination showed that
black drum spawn in Chesapeake Bay region from April through early
June. Distributions of oocyte diameter showed distinct
oocyte-developmental groups indicating that Chesapeake Bay black drum
are group-synchronous batch spawners. Female black drum are extremely
fecund ranging from 414,000 to 3,736,000 hydrated oocytes (mean =
1,389,000) per batch with a spawning periodicity of 3.8 days.
Estimates of spawning strategy, spawning periodicity, and batch
fecundity for black drum from the Chesapeake Bay region were similar to
reported estimates from the Gulf of Mexico. |