Estudo histológico das gônadas do Peixe-Voador, Hirundichthys affinis Gunther, 1866 (OSTEICHTHYES: EXOCOETIDAE) no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Abstract

This work was carried out due to the fishing importance of the flying fish, Hirundichthys affinis Gunther, 1866 in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The material for analysis consisted of 378 specimens captured in the oceanic area of Caiçara do Norte, from April 1999 to April 2000. The microscopic characterization of the maturation stages of the gonads was performed through histological analysis, which identified the following stages: immature, maturing I and II, mature and emptied. The microscopic evaluation of the oocyte development confined the maturation stages of the ovaries. In males, the stages were identified: immature, maturing, mature and emptied both macro and microscopically. Mature females and males were more abundant from May to June, indicating the spawning season of the species.