ON THE STUDY OF FECUNDITY AND EGGS SIZE OF ANTARCTIC TOOTHFISH DISSOSTICHUS MAWSONI NORMAN 1937

The results of the microscopic analyses of the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) fecundity and eggs size, caught in December-March the Pacific and Indian Ocean area of the Antarctica are presented. We analyzed the main reproductive characteristics which determinate the individual fecundity of the Antarctic toothfish: individual absolute fecundity by the largest oocytes, share of largest trophoplasmic oocytes and their diameter. The frequency of Antarctic toothfish females with the ovaries on IV stages of maturity was 1.2 – 10% in the different regions. It was revealed that maximum level of fecundity characteristics had prespawning females from the Ross Sea, and minimum – toothfish females from the Indian Ocean area of Antarctica. The individual absolute fecundity is varied from 0.03 to 0.61 million eggs, and relative fecundity – from 11.48 to 42.53. The diameter of largest trophoplasmic oocytes is varied from 2.8 to 3.15 mm.