Reproductive Biology of the Thumbprint Emperor, Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775), using histological ultra-structural characteristic in gonads along Sudanese Coastal Waters

Abstract

Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775) are very common species of the family Lethrinidae in Sudanese Red Sea Coast. Some aspects of the reproductive biology and histology of the gonads of Lehtrinus harak were studied between 2008 and 2009. The present study described six maturity stages for gonad development based on external features and histological study of males/females. Males of Lethrinus harak attain maturity stages at a relatively bigger size than females (at 22.5 cm for males and 21.7 cm for females). Lethrinus harak has a prolonged spawning season extending from October to April with peaks in April.

Keywords: Lethrinus harak, Reproduction, histology, Abu Hashish, Red Sea

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-10