Comparative fecundity estimates in the thumbprint emperor, Lethrinus harak (Forsskal, 1775) using volumetric and stereological methods

Abstract

Comparative fecundity estimates were made on 10 stage 4 ovaries of the thumbprint emperor, Lethrinus harak using volumetric and stereological methods. Results show that the volumetric method tended to under-estimate fecundity by an average of 23% in comparison to the stereological method. The fecundity of24 other stage 4 ovaries determined volumetrically was therefore standardised by taking this value into consideration. A mean fecundity of 476,000 oocytes per female was established. High positive correlation was found to exist between fecundity and three variables i.e. standard length, total weight and ovary weight.