• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.351-358
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• 2005

Reproductive condition of the tropical blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera collected during the period July through September 2003 from Chuuk Lagoon, Federated State of Micronesia was investigated using histology. The level of gonad development for each pearl oyster was determined with an average score of five microscopic fields, and the average score was used as the maturity index (ML). All wild pearl oysters collected in July did exhibit fully ripe eggs in their ovaries ($45{\sim}50{\mu}M$ in diameter), indicating that they were ready for spawning. In mid August most wild pearl oysters were in spawning and M1 dropped dramatically from mid- to late September, suggesting that the wild pearl oyster completed spawning during this period. In contrast, the cultivated pearl oysters collected in mid-September held ripe eggs in the ovaries and only a few of them spawned, indicating that gonad maturation of the cultivated pearl oyster was somewhat slower than that of the wild pearl oyster in Chuuk Lagoon during the summer period. Histological analysis also indicated that spawning of the pearl oyster is rather incomplete and they may spawn continuously during summer.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2023

The maturity and spawning of the large yellow croaker Larmichthys crocea were investigated using samples randomly collected in the Jeju coastal area, Korea. We analyzed monthly changes in maturity stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and egg diameter. Additionally, we verified fecundity by size class and total length (TL) at sexual group maturity at 50%, 75%, and 97.5%, as well as by sex ratio (female vs. male). The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1:0.42. The GSI values showed a peak in October, but the spawning season, revealed by the microscopic analysis of gonadal tissue of L. crocea was from October 2021 to March 2022, with the main spawning period from October to November. The fecundity (F) of female L. crocea ranged from 39,232 eggs at 20 to 29.9 cm to 251,003 eggs at 50 to 59.9 cm, with the relationship between TL and F being 80.244TL-1641.6. In females, TL at 50%, 75%, and 97.5% maturity was 22.4, 24.3, and 29.0 cm, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.481-486
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• 2009

In 2007, 43.5% mortality of the cultured oyster population occurred in Gamak Bay. Mortality rapidly increase in September and peak in October. To prevent future mass-mortality event, we investigated spawning and variation of oyster body composition. The main spawning period of culture oyster occurred from August to September. Condition index and body composition (protein and glycogen) appeared to be influenced by the spawning activity. Condition index and glycogen content in September were lowest (13.5% and 5.6 mg/g, respectively). However, protein, lipid and glycogen contents did not rapidly recover after the spawning activity. The data indicates that mass-mortality of cultured oysters in Gamak Bay may be due to deteriorated health, spawning activity, stress of the high water temperature and decreasing food resources.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2004

Reproductive cycle and spawning rhythm with lunar cycle of the ascidian, Halocynthia hilgendorfi ritteri were investigated by histological examination. The specimens were sampled in the coastal waters of Yongdam, northwest of Jeju Island, Korea, from November 2001 to January 2003. H. hilgendorfi ritteri is a synchronous hermaphrodite; the gonads are located in the mantle. The reproductive cycle can be grouped into the following successive stages in the ovary: growth (February to June), vitellogenesis (April to September), mature (July to December), spent (November to February), and recovery (December to April). Likewise, in the testis, the stages observed were: growth (October), mature (October to December), spent (November to February), and resting (January to September). Major spawning probably occurs between November and January, when water temperatures decrease. The histological observations of the gonads suggested that this species is a multiple spawner during the spawning period. Spawning occurred between the new moon and full moon, and again between the full moon and new moon, suggesting that the spawning rhythm is influenced by the lunar cycle.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.208-218
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• 2001

We have investigated the gonad index (GI), gonadal development, reproductive cycle, first sexual maturity, sex ratio, the number of spawned eggs and spawning frequency of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. Samples were collected from the intertidal zone of Komso Bay, Korea from January to December in 1999. Monthly changes in the gonad index (GI) and condition index showed a similar pattern in the reproductive cycle. The spawning period was once a year between early June and early October, there was a spawning peak between July and August when seawater temperature was over $20^{\circ}C$. The reproductive cycle of this species can be categorized into five successive stages; early active (February to March), late active (April to May), ripe (April to August), partially spawned (June to October), and spent/inactive stage (August to March). Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male clams of l5.1-20.0mm in shell length were $56.3\%$ and $60.0\%$, respectively, and $100\%$ for the clams >25. mm. The sex ratio of individuals >15.1 mm in shell length was about 1:1 $(\chi^2= 0.02,\;p>0.05)$. Number of the eggs released from each clam by the induction increased as the size of clam in terms of shell length increased. Mean number of the eggs from the second induction of the spawning was $75.35-84.30\%$ $(average\;79.81\%)$ of the number of the eggs released in the first spawning. Our data indicated that R. philippinarum in Komso Bay has one major spawning peak with over two minor spawning, and the interval of each spawning was estimated to be approximately 15-17 (average 16.5) days.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.463-472
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• 1997

Floating and hatching rates, size and survival activity index(SAI) of spawned eggs of red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara were studied to understand egg qualities during the spawning periods in 1992, 1993 and 1995. The fish spawned from mid-July to mid-August when temperature ranged 23~$28^\circC$. Floating, fertilization and hatching rates were higher in the eggs from early to middle than those from late during the spawning period. SAI ranged 1.8~9.6, and it was closely related to survival rate until mouth operning time (SMOT). Egg diameter decreased gradually with the time of spawning, while diameter of oil globule was constant during the spawning periods. Induced spawnings were carried out with one injection of HCG over 5, 000 IU/kg body weight. Floating, fertilization and hatching rates of the induced spawning eggs were higher than those of untreated ones. Thus, induced spawning method with HCG was recommended for collecting fertilized eggs in bulk. Optimal time for the collection of high quality eggs was supposed to be from early to middle during the spawning periods. Considering that egg qualities were vulnerable within the period, hatchability, incidence of malformed larvae, SMOT and SAI were factors to be considered together to get good quality of eggs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2020

The maturation and spawning of red seabream Pagrus major were investigated using 1,014 samples collected monthly from January to December of 2018, in the South Sea of Korea. Based on monthly changes in maturity stage and gonadosomatic index, the spawning period was estimated to be between April and August, with peak spawning occuring from May to June. Fecundity varied between 228,996 and 4,544,948 eggs. The relationship between fecundity (F) and fork length (FL) in this species can be expressed by the equation F=0.4869FL^3.9452 (R²=0.7448). Using a logistic function, the percentage of sexually mature females was estimated to be over 50% for fish with a FL of 35.3 cm.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.296-305
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• 2018

Maturity and spawning of the pointhead flounder, Hippoglossoides pinetorum were investigated on the basis of samples collected in the coastal waters off Gangwon-do, East Sea from January 2012 to December 2013. The average total length of H. pinetorum was 25.0 cm and 21.9 cm for females and males, respectively. The spawning period was from May to July according to monthly changes gonadosomatic index (GSI) and maturity stages. The spawning period in Gangwon-do was delayed relatively to that in Gyeongbuk-do. The mature egg diameter ranged between $300-700{\mu}m$. The relationship between TL and fecundity (F) was F = 63.574 TL - 1471.3 ($R^2=0.7603$), that is, the larger total length, the more fecundity H. pinetorum had. We estimated that the TLs at 50% group maturity were 25.6 cm for females and 19.9 cm for males. The spawning ecology by sea area should be considered efficient resource management for H. pinetorum. Furthermore, it is necessary to study more on the relationships among growth, maturity and water temperature variations in the East Sea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.667-675
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• 2023

The Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius is an economically important fish species in the southwestern waters of Korea. This study aimed to provide insights into the reproductive biology of this species in the southwestern waters of Korea. We analyzed monthly changes in fork length (FL), maturity stages, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Moreover, we measured the in FL at sexual group maturity of 50%, 75%, 97.5%, and sex ratio (female vs. male). The overall sex ratio of female and male was 1:0.8. GSI value showed the highest peak in May; however, the spawning period revealed by the microscopic analysis of gonad tissue of S. niphonius was from April to August 2020. The main spawning seasons for the entire populations was from May to June. The fork length at 50% group maturity was 53.3 cm for females and 53.1 cm for males. These results of spawning period of Spanish mackerel highlight the influences of water temperatures that were higher than those in the past, an increase in resource levels, and the level of Pacific anchovy resources flowing into the spawning ground.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.404-409
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• 2016

We investigated the maturation and spawning of Sebastes thompsoni in the coastal waters off Ulleungdo, based on samples collected by gill net from March 2013 to February 2014. We analyzed monthly changes in maturity stage, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, fecundity, and total length (TL) at 50% group maturity. The average TLs of female and male S. thompsoni were 22.6 cm and 22.5 cm, respectively. The main parturition period of females was during March and April. The GSI of females began to increase in January, and reached a maximum in March. The GSI of male reached a maximum between January and February. The spawning period of males was shorter than that of females. The egg diameter during gestation stage was 1.4±2.1 mm. The TL of females at 50% group maturity was 22.3 cm.