OBSERVATIOfJS ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE SMOOTH DCiGFISH, ERIDACNIS RADCLIFFEI SMITH FROM GULF OF MANNAR

Abstract

The structure of mature reproductive organs of fifteien adult females of
Eridacn'.s radcliffei. ranging in total length from 150 to 218 mm collected from
the trawl catches off Mandapam in Gulf of Mannar during February, 1972 at a
depth ranging frori 100 to 150 fathoms were studied and the various stages of
intra-uterine embryos are described and discussed. A close examination of different
stages of embryos revealed that this species exhibits ovoviviparous type of
development. The intra-uterine egg is enclosed in a thin shell membrane which
disappears when the embryo develops inside the uterus. The embryos are seen
free inside the uterus and no placental connection has been observed in any
stage of development.