BIOLOGIA REPRODUTIVA DA PESCADA AMARELA ( Cynoscion acoupa ) CAPTURADA NA BAÍA DE SÃO MARCOS, MARANHÃO, BRASIL

This study aimed to determine the reproductive period, fecundity and the spawning type of acoupa weakfish ( Cynoscion acoupa ) from artisanal fisheries conducted in Bay of Sao Marcos, State of Maranhao. The specimens were collected bimonthly, from May 2007 to March 2008. Were obtained biometric and maturation of gonads data to determine the reproductive period. To determine fecundity was counting of the oocytes. The spawning type was found from analysis of the relative frequency of diameter classes of oocytes. The results showed two moments of spawning for C. acoupa from Bay of Sao Marcos, one between the months of November/December (early rains) and another between March/April (rainy season). The fecundity ranged between 9,832,960 and 14,340,373 oocytes. Spawning is the asynchronous type and split with reproductive peaks in the rainy season. Such findings are as expected for tropical and subtropical species. Keywords: Cynoscion acoupa ; reproduction; fecundity; spawning.