Barbieri et al.: Maturity, spawning, and ovarian cycle of Micropogonias undulatus 



679 







ff£3 



Figure 6 (Continued) 



females cycle through the gravid and running-ripe 

 stages by undergoing the processes of hydration, ovu- 

 lation, and spawning. If spawning has not been com- 

 pleted, left-over advanced yolked oocytes are re- 

 sorbed, a new batch of advanced yolked oocytes is 

 recruited from the group of partially yolked oocytes 

 (redeveloping process), and females are ready to go 

 through the cycle again. If spawning is completed, 

 females will then move to the regressing stage, 

 where, through the process of oocyte atresia, left-over 



oocytes (cortical alveoli to advanced yolked stage) will 

 be resorbed, after which ovaries return to the rest- 

 ing stage. 



Discussion 



Spawning periodicity 



Our results on spawning periodicity of Atlantic 

 croaker agree with previous reports for the Chesa- 

 peake Bay and mid-Atlantic regions. Prior studies 



