Diagram of the female's maturity stages of the euphausiids using the criteria proposed by Ross et al. (1982).
			Diagram copy right Jaime-Gomez-Gutierrez. All right reserved worlwide
		Stage I Ovary is small and flat, lies behind the hepatopancreas, and contains small, yellow,  transparent rounded eggs. Stage II Ovary is large, and closely packed polygonal eggs are of uniform size. Stage III Ovary extends into the abdomen. eggs are tightly packed and no longer transparent. Stage IV Ovary completely fills the thoracic cavity, pushing aside the other organs, several size of eggs are present, and spermatophores are often attached to the thelycum. When the female is alive the stage IV is easily identified because the ovary looks as a purple band. Reference Ross RM,  Daly KL, English TS. 1982. Reproductive cycle and fecundity of Euphausia pacifica.  Limnol. Oceanogr. 27(2): 304-314.
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