THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF BRACHYRAPHIS EPISCOPI, AN OVOVIVIPAROUS PŒCILIID FISH, IN THE NATURAL TROPICAL HABITAT

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Abstract
The reproductive cycle was studied in the natural tropical habitat to obtain data concerning seasonal variation in reproduction. The material was studied by 4 methods (1) obtaining lengths of all specimens available for each month and comparing the monthly data; (2) determining the number of gravid [female][female] and the size of broods for each month and comparing the monthly data; (3) determining the interval between developing ovocytes and set stages of embryos in the same ovaries for each month; (4) comparing the attainment of maturity in [male][male] for each month as shown in the lengths of specimens which had attained partially or fully metamorphosed gonopods. Reproduction is apparently continual and bears no reference to seasons. It is assumed that the relative constancy of duration of daylight is an important contributing factor in the control of the cycle.