THE FECUNDITY AND PREFERRED BREEDING PERIOD OF THE AFRICAN CLAWED TOAD Xenopus laevis FROM ROCKWATER FISH FARM, JOS PLATEAU STATE

The preferred breeding period and fecundity of Xenopus laevis sampled from Rockwater fish farm were studied within ten months. The analysis of gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed peak gonadal activity in August for males (1.51) and November for females (15.0). The number of eggs produced per female organism increases with body mass. Large individuals produced as much as 6,000 eggs. The length-weight correlation coefficients of males (r = 0.105) and females (r= 0.089) were not significantly different (P> 0.05). The influences of temperature and rainfall on the reproductive cycle are also discussed as well as the effect of water depth.