Population Structure and Reproductive Biology of Lane Snapper, Lutjanus synagris (Lutjanidae) Caught in the Reef Fish Fishery of Pernambuco, Brazil

Lane snapper Lutjanus synagis (Linnaeus 1758) is abundant in Northeastern Brazil and economically relevant to the artisanal fishery. Population and reproductive aspects of lane snapper wereinvestigated to assist assessment. Lane snappers were acquired in Pernambuco (n = 406) from 2013 to 2015. Sex ratio is close to 1 : 1 (213 males and 179 females). For males, the total length, TL (mode) ranges from 16.3–27.8 cm (20.4 cm). For females, TL ranges from 17.0–29.9 cm (21.0 cm). The species have negative allometric growth (b < 3). The length that 50% of the population reach maturity (L₅₀) using TL is 17.7 cm for both sexes. Macroscopical and microscopical gonadal stages are described per sex, and the gonadosomatic index indicates that reproduction happens during the dry season, between September and March, and two maturational peaks are observed, the first between September and November and the second between January and March.