Hematalogical characteristics of the mullet, Mugil platanus Gunther, 1880 (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) from Cananéia lagoon-estuarine region, SP (Lat. 25º00’S í Long. 47º55’W)

Abstract

For the present work 344 specimens of the mullet, Mugil platanus Günther,1880, were captured in the lagoon-estuarine region of Cananéia, SP (Lat. 25°00' S - Long. 47°55'W). From each specimen, total weight, total length and number of scales in lateral series (NES between 31 and 35 and between 36 and 41) were determined. The blood was used for hematocrit determinations (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), erythrocyte number (Er), estimation of absolute hematimetric indices: MCV, MCH and MCHC. Sex and gonadal maturation (no differentiated, juvenile, resting, maturing, mature and spent) were determined through macroscopic examination of the gonads. Analysis of variance of the hematologic characteristics, total length, total weight, and condition factor were done per sex, per stage of gonadal development, and per NES, as well as the interaction between these factors. The results showed no significant differences between the mean values of the two groups of NES, nor among males and females, but significant difference between no differentiated and adults was detected. For the blood variables and the condition factor, the means were greater for maturing and mature females and smaller for the spent ones. The linear correlation factor of Pearson was calculated for the blood variables against biological factors through the method of least square.