• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 1995

First sexual maturity, monthly changes in gonadosomatic index and reproductive cycle of viviparous teleost surfperch, Ditrema temmincki were investigated under photomicroscopy. Samples were collected from May 1992 to August 1993 in the vicinity of Suyoung Bay, Pusan, Korea. Body length at the first sexual maturity in female and male were 12.5cm and 13.5cm, respectively. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) in female reached the maximum in June(just before parturition) and male GSI reached the maximum in October(just before copulation). The testis is composed of a number of seminiferous tubules, and spermatogonia are originated from the germinal epithelium on the seminiferous tubule. The ovary consists of several ovigerous folds, and oogonia are originated from the inner surface of the germinal epithelium within the ovigerous fold. Annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive periods : in male, growing period from May to August, maturation period from September to October, copulation period from November to December, and degeneration and resting period from January to April, and in female, growing period from September to October, copulation and maturation period from November to December, gestation period from January to June, and resting period from July to August. Hepatosomatic index(HSI) in male appeared to be negatively correlated with gonadosomatic index, but that in female showed to be positively correlated.