Ovarian development and length at first maturity of the sea‑bob‑shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller) based on histological analysis

The sea-bob-shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) is a penaeid prawn widely distributed throughout the Western Atlantic, occurring from North Carolina (USA) to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The present work was motivated by the need of a better knowledge on the biology and life cycle of sea-bob-shrimp in Tijucas Bay, Tijucas, Santa Catarina State. Population parameters, such as reproduction were estimated. Samples were obtained from trawl net artisanal fishery. Sexual maturity of females was established based on a chromatic scale, developed from ovary histological sections and the length at first maturity was estimated for females was 24 mm (CL)