Fecundity and Gonad Observations of the American Eel, Anguilla rostrata , Migrating from Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Wenner, Charles A., Musick, J. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1974
• Subjects: General Medicine; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f74-164; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f74-164

Fecundity of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, was estimated from 21 specimens migrating from Chesapeake Bay during November 1970. The relationship between total length and fecundity is log y = −4.29514 + 3.74418 log x where y is fecundity and x is total length (mm) and between total weight and fecundity is log y = 3.22990 + 1.1157 log x where y is fecundity and x is total weight (g). Gonadal condition was described statistically and histologically. Specimens migrating from Chesapeake Bay are more sexually mature than either American eels migrating from Canadian waters or European eels, Anguilla anguilla, migrating from Europe. The significance of these findings with regard to Tucker's hypothesis of European eels being more sexually advanced at the onset of the spawning migration is discussed.