Reproductive biology of ridgeback shrimp Solenocera choprai (Decapoda, Penaeoidea, Solenoceridae) off Mangalore coast, south India

Abstract:   The ridgeback shrimp Solenocera choprai has emerged as one of the important commercial species in 60–100 m depth zone off Karnataka coast, India, since 1993. Studies were conducted on S. choprai to understand its reproductive biology which can help in formulating policies for management of the species. The diagnostic features of reproductive morphology of the species were studied and illustrated in detail. Based on the coloration and size of the ovary and ova diameter variations, five stages of maturity in female S. choprai were identified. The mature ova are fully yolked with diameters between 0.24 and 0.35 mm. Size at maturity (50%) has been estimated at 54.5 and 66.5 mm total length (TL) in males and females, respectively. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed an increasing trend according to the advancement of maturity of the ovary, and monthly mean GSI showed a positive correlation with monthly percentage of spawners. Solenocera choprai was found to be a continuous breeder with two peaks: a major peak in November and another extended peak during January–February. The estimated numbers of ova in the mature ovary were 38 532 and 133 689 in shrimps measuring 80 and 110 mm TL, respectively. A sigmoidal increase in the female-to-male sex ratio with increase in size was noticed in the species. A χ ²-test showed that the annual distribution of females and males is not significantly different from a 1:1 ratio at the 1% level.     

Reproductive biology of common silver biddy Gerres oyena in Okinawa Island of southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   Common silver biddy Gerres oyena were collected monthly between November 2002 and November 2005 in Okinawa Island of southern Japan. The seasonal reproductive cycle of this species was investigated using the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and through histological observation of gonads. Temporal variation in the GSI reflected gonadal development from histological observations; ovary development occurred from March to September and testes development occurred between March and August. Maximal development was observed in April and May in both sexes. While mean values for hepatosomatic and lipidosomatic indices decreased markedly in females relative to males during gonadal development, mean condition factors decreased with gonadal recrudescence in both sexes. The minimum standard length (SL) at sexual maturity was 89.7 mm for females and 81.4 mm for males and the size at which 50% of individuals were sexually mature was 104 and 92 mm SL in females and males, respectively. The power relationships of batch fecundity (BF) versus standard length (SL, mm) and body weight (BW, g) of females can be expressed as BF  = 46.7 × e^{1.64 SL} and BF  = 19 697 × e^{0.49 BW} , respectively.     

Reproductive biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sillago aeolus</Emphasis> in Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   A total of 414 fish (female, 59.3–275.0 mm and male, 61.0–220.0 mm standard length) were collected from December 2000 to March 2002 around Okinawa Island, Japan, for the determination of sex, spawning season, maturity and fecundity. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) exhibited similar trends for both sexes and the mean GSI maintained a high level between February and May. Furthermore, the percentage frequency of hydrated oocytes and the spermatozoic activity suggested that main spawning occurred between February and May. Some hydrated oocytes were found throughout the year, with a GSI value greater than 1.0, suggesting that sporadic spawning occurred. Length at first maturity was determined for females and males as 120 and 113 mm standard length, respectively. Almost 50% and 100% males were matured at the end of their 0 and 1 year of age group, respectively. In contrast, no females were found to be mature at 0+ age group, and almost 60% of females were mature at 1+ age group. At ages over 2 years, all males and females were found to be mature. Batch fecundity (BF) of 33 females was related to standard length, and the relationship between standard length and BF was expressed by the exponential equation: BF = 269.5e^0.020954SL.     

Reproductive characteristics of the orbiculate cardinalfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphaeramia orbicularis</Emphasis> in the Chuuk Lagoon,Micronesia

Detailed knowledge of the reproductive characteristics of fish in tropical areas is currently lacking. We have performed a histological study of the reproductive aspects of Sphaeramia orbicularis, a tropical fish found on the Weno Islands of the Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia, and further estimated the gonadosomatic indices (GSI) of this fish. The sex ratio was approximately 1:1. The standard length of males and females at 50% maturity was 49.0 and 46.9 mm, respectively. Histological observation of S. orbicularis ovaries and testes revealed that the fish exhibits multiple spawner characteristics, including coexistence of primary yolk stages, migratory nucleus or mature stages, and asynchronism of the spermatogenesis process. Monthly variations in the GSI and gonadal maturity stages demonstrated that reproductive activity occurs throughout the year. The findings in this study provide important information on the spawning activity and season of S. orbicularis in Micronesia.     

Reproductive biology of whitespotted bamboo shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum in northern waters off Taiwan

ABSTRACT:   In total, 491 whitespotted bamboo sharks were collected from northern Taiwanese waters from February 2002 to February 2003. The sex ratio of the specimens was 0.65, total length (TL) ranged from 35.3–85 cm, and weight ranged 124–2580 g. The mean size at first maturity was estimated to be 64.9 and 65.6 cm TL for females and males, respectively, based on the relationship between mature percentage and TL. The ovulation season was estimated as March to May based on gonadosomatic index (GSI) variations and captive observation. The monthly changes in GSI of males suggested that the mating season was from December to January. The inconsistency between mating and ovulation seasons suggested that females have sperm storage and delayed fertilization. One or two eggs were deposited every 6 or 7 days on average. Deposition of eggs extended for 2 months, and fecundity was 8 ± 3.8 eggs. Thirteen of 48 eggs deposited in 2003 were hatched and the hatching rate was 0.27. The hatching period was 107 ± 9.3 days with accumulated water temperature ranging from 2372–2835°C.     

Genetic homogeneity between adult and juvenile populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scombrops gilberti</Emphasis> (Percoid,Scombropidae) in the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese Islands

Scombrops gilberti is a member of the percoid family Scombropidae, which includes a single genus and three to four species worldwide. Little is known about the ecology of this species. Juvenile S. gilberti have been found in the waters off northern Japan (Iwate Prefecture), whereas adults are found in the waters around the southern counterpart (Izu Islands), approximately 700 km from the northern waters. In the present study, we captured immature S. gilberti (106–248 mm standard length, SL) in the northern waters by set net at 8–80 m depth, whereas larger individuals (150–328 mm SL) were captured by trawling at 150–500 m depth. By contrast, only adult S. gilberti (422–590 mm SL) were captured in the southern waters. The genetic composition of the adult population of S. gilberti from the southern waters and of the juvenile population from the northern waters was compared using the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b gene. No significant differences in genetic parameters such as fixation index, neutrality test or mismatch distribution analysis were found between these geographically distinct populations of S. gilberti, showing that these populations are genetically homogeneous.     

Growth and reproduction of the red frog crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ranina ranina</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Andaman Sea off Thailand

ABSTRACT:   Studies were conducted on growth and reproduction of the red frog crab, Ranina ranina (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Andaman Sea off Thailand from 1998 to 1999. Samples were collected from Ko Similan, Ko Surin and Thai-Myanmar boundary waters by gill net. Results showed that the relationship between carapace length (CL) and body weight (BW) for males (CL, 5.84–14.10 cm) was BW = 0.2598 CL^3.0931, and for females (CL, 5.35–10.97 cm) was BW = 0.4280 CL^2.8656. Growth in each gender showed allometric growth. The average CL of males was significantly larger than that of females. Average male and female crab sizes in 1999 were smaller than in 1998. The spawning season was found to be from November to February; maturing male crabs were abundant from September to December. Average sizes of CL at first maturity for males and females were 7.44 and 7.22 cm, respectively. Fecundity ranges of ovigerous female crabs were 74 600–167 900 eggs with an average egg diameter of 0.62 mm. The monthly sex ratios (male : female) varied between 1:0.56 and 1:2.77.     

Reproductive biology of the common ponyfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leiognathus equulus</Emphasis> in the south-western waters off Taiwan

ABSTRACT:   Reproductive biology of the common ponyfish Leiognathus equulus was described based on 958 specimens caught by otter trawlers in the south-western waters off Taiwan and landed at Tungkang and Linuan fishing ports from March 2000 to February 2001. Macroscopic appearance of the ovary, gonad-somatic index, oocyte diameter frequency distribution, and histological examination suggested that the spawning season of the common ponyfish in south-western Taiwan waters is from May to August. Eight stages of oocyte development were determined based on histological examination, and ovarian development can be divided as immature, early maturing, late maturing, mature and spent stages. The sex ratio of 0.52 was not significantly different from 0.5 using χ² test, but females were overwhelmingly more when fork length (FL) was greater than 170 mm. The relations between fecundity (F), batch fecundity (BF), and body weight (BW) were estimated to be F =−5328 + 1.2946 BW ( n  = 132, P  < 0.05) and BF = −11.26 + 0.2748 BW ( n  = 25, P  < 0.05), respectively. Mean fecundity and mean batch fecundity (± standard error) were estimated to be 129 955 ± 79 343 and 28 160 ± 14 698, respectively. Sizes at 50% maturity estimated from the Logistic model were 162 mm FL and 158 mm FL for females and males, respectively.     

Annual changes in distribution depths of bighand thornyhead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastolobus macrochir</Emphasis> off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu,Japan

ABSTRACT:   Body size dependent distribution patterns of bighand thornyhead Sebastolobus macrochir were examined using bottom trawl surveys in the Tohoku area, off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu, Japan. In northern and southern Tohoku, distribution depths of ≤10-cm standard length (SL) fish increased from 500–600 m in 2003 to 600–700 m in 2005 with an increase in density of 11–20-cm SL fish at depths of 500–600 m. In 2004–2005, small fish (≤10 cm SL) were distributed in deeper waters than large fish (11–20 cm SL). In ≤20-cm SL fish, the main distribution depths changed from 300–600 m in 1997–2002 to 500–600 m in 2003 in southern Tohoku, but not in northern Tohoku. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that negative correlations were found in biomass densities between a few demersal fish species and bighand thornyhead at depths of 300–400 and 400–500 m in southern Tohoku. These results suggest that distribution of bighand thornyhead was affected by intra- and interspecific competitions in the Tohoku area.     

Gonadal development in early life stages of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spratelloides gracilis</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The gonad of Spratelloides gracilis was not sexually differentiated in the yolk-sac, preflexion, flexion and postflexion stages. Sexual differentiation and development of the ovary and testis started in the transition stage from larva to juvenile. In juveniles at the fin ray completion stage, the ovary and testis could be distinguished because the ovary contained germ cells initiating meiosis and the testis had blood vessels and a high density of somatic cells. The ovary further developed in larger juveniles to have oocytes of perinucleolus stage together with those of the chromatin nucleolus stage, and oogonium. However, in the testis of larger juveniles, primary spermatogonium began proliferation by meiosis. Sexual differentiation may be regarded as one of morphological and functional changes accompanying metamorphosis in S. gracilis . Some fish larger than the mature size of 60 mm standard length had advanced germ cells and functional gonads, others did not have functional gonads. The distal end of the immature gonads did not connect with a genital duct near the anus. These observations indicate that S. gracilis has large variability in size-at-maturity. The variability in size-at-maturity in S. gracilis , together with large variability in age-at-maturity, may constitute an ecological basis for an extended spawning season in S. gracilis .     

西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群繁殖生物学的初步研究

根据我国鱿钓船于2012年12月—2013年3月渔汛期间,在西南大西洋公海海域作业时随机采集的阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群样本(雌性148尾,雄性99尾),初步研究了其种群繁殖生物学。结果表明,渔汛期间阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群雌性胴长172~252 mm,雄性胴长164~248 mm。随着月份推移,雌性占比逐月递减,从12月份的84.21%递减至次年3月份的27.03%;雄性个体占比则逐月递增,从12月份的15.79%递增至次年3月份的72.97%。雌性样本超过30%的个体性腺发育成熟并且部分处于繁殖期,雄性个体超过60%的个体性腺发育成熟并且部分处于繁殖期。雌雄个体的胴长和体质量均在性腺功能发育成熟时达到最大值,但是雌性胴长大于雄性,体质量却小于雄性。性腺指数、缠卵腺指数和精荚复合体指数随着个体生长逐渐增长。雌性个体性腺指数为0.001 2~0.31,平均值0.074;缠卵腺指数为0.003 1~0.55,平均值0.29;两者随着个体生长逐渐增长,在性腺功能成熟时达到最大值。雄性个体性腺指数为0.007 5~0.084,平均值0.038;精荚复合体指数为0.000 79~0.035,平均值0.012;两指数在繁殖期时达到最大值。     

Life-history of the flagfin shiner, Pteronotropis signipinnis, from a blackwater stream in southeastern Mississippi

Abstract – Flagfin shiners, Pteronotropis signipinnis , were collected from Sweetwater Creek, a second-order blackwater stream in southeastern Mississippi, during each month of 1996. Analysis of length frequency histograms indicated a life span of 1 to 2 years. Sex ratio was not different from a 1:1 ratio. Adult males were larger and more heavily pigmented near the abdomen than females. Females were reproductive from April to mid-August. All females attained sexual maturity by 27 mm SL and produced multiple clutches of ova. Clutch size varied from 12 to 101 ova and was correlated with SL. Mean mature oocyte diameter was 0.88 mm (range 0.76–0.96). Despite the relationship between clutch size and body size, P. signipinnis may be selected to invest in early reproduction rather than growth. This idea is supported by the small size at maturity in this species and is consistent with an opportunistic life-history strategy. ^Note     

Maturity and reproduction of goneplacid crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carcinoplax vestita</Emphasis> (Decapoda,Brachyura) in Tokyo Bay

ABSTRACT:     Sexual maturity, morphological sexual dimorphism, and reproduction of the goneplacid crab Carcinoplax vestita were investigated in Tokyo Bay, Japan, from November 2002 to October 2003. The puberty molt in males was evidenced by changes in the relative size of the chelipeds and merus of the walking legs, and was estimated to occur at a size range of 13.20–18.85 mm carapace length. Post-pubertal females were identified by the relative size of the abdomen and puberty was estimated to occur at a size range of 12.81–15.46 mm carapace length. Sexual dimorphism in C. vestita was observed in all features that showed secondary sexual characteristics. Monthly changes of gonad index in males, and of seminal receptacle index and occurrence of sperm plugs in females were synchronized, and indicated that mating was intense in spring. Ovaries began developing in March. Ovigerous females were found in all months except December, but were clearly more abundant between August and October. Fecundity ranged from 7800 to 57 000 mature oocytes per female per batch and was highly correlated with body size. The results suggest that some females may spawn more than one batch per year.     

Population and maturation dynamics of the swordtip squid (Photololigo edulis) in the southern East China Sea

Reproductive biology and seasonal distribution of the swordtip squid (Photololigo edulis) in the northeastern waters of Taiwan were studied, based on the samples and fishery data collected from the torch-light fishery between 2003 and 2005. The swordtip squid only occurred in the Kuroshio Current and reached the coastal waters of Taiwan in January and February. From March to June, its distributional range extended to 27°N and 124°E as the front (the Kuroshio Current met the Mainland China Coastal Current) moved northward. The squid moved southwestward as the front retreated to 25°N and 123°E from July to September. After October, it was mainly distributed in the front area which shifted southwestward at this time.

Both percentage of mature individuals and gonado-somatic index (GSI) of the swordtip squid were high in spring and autumn and low in summer, indicating two spawning seasons per year. Comparison of mantle length (ML), body weight (BW) and gonad weight (GW) of mature specimens in spring and autumn indicated that individuals of autumn spawning group were larger and heavier than those of the spring spawning group. The GSI between the two spawning groups was not different in females but different in males. High GSI and high percentage of mature (stage IV) individuals in the area suggest that the inshore water off northern Taiwan between 25.5°N and 26.5°N, 121.5°E and 122.5°E could be a spawning ground for the swordtip squid.     

Comparison of spatiotemporal patterns in reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus between two regions having different geographic conditions in Kyushu, southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   The Yatsushiro Sea and Shibushi Bay are, respectively, located on the western and south-eastern coast of Kyushu, southern Japan. The Yatsushiro Sea is a shallow semi-enclosed inland sea, whereas Shibushi Bay is an open-type bay with a deep and wide mouth facing the open sea. The size at sexual maturity and spatiotemporal patterns of reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus (Decapoda, Penaeidae) were examined and compared between these two regions. In the Yatsushiro Sea, the size at sexual maturity was estimated to be 131 mm body length. However, the estimated size at sexual maturity was considerably larger (154 mm) in Shibushi Bay. The spawning season of M. japonicus was estimated to continue from April to September in the Yatsushiro Sea, whereas it was estimated to be longer in Shibushi Bay, from March to November. It is believed that the warm water temperature due to the strong effect of the Kuroshio Current prolonged the spawning season of M. japonicus in Shibushi Bay. The spawning grounds were estimated to be in areas deeper than 10 m in the Yatsushiro Sea and deeper than 20 m in Shibushi Bay. In Shibushi Bay, body size distribution of mature females was considered to be less affected by water depth in comparison with the Yatsushiro Sea, although older mature females larger than 200 mm body length also spawned outside of the bay.     

Reproductive cycle of yellow sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dentex tumifrons</Emphasis> in Wakasa Bay,the Sea of Japan off central Honshu

ABSTRACT:   To determine the spawning season and reproductive cycle of the yellow sea bream, Dentex tumifrons , in Wakasa Bay, in the Sea of Japan off central Honshu, seasonal change in the gonadosomatic index ( GSI ) was examined and histological observations of both ovaries and testes were conducted. The female GSI gradually increased from May, maintained a high level between August and October and then rapidly decreased. The histological observations of the ovary showed that vitellogenesis began from May and developed until September. Spent fish began to be observed in October and all the fish collected in December were spent. There was only one peak in the seasonal change in GSI of males and females in Wakasa Bay. Thus, yellow sea bream spawn only in autumn in Wakasa Bay. Differences in the reproductive cycle and number of spawning seasons were found between the two different latitudinal areas, Wakasa Bay and the East China Sea (low latitudinal area) where the spawning seasons were spring and autumn. An increase in water temperature is an important factor to initiate gonadal maturation (recrudescence) and is terminated by the short day-length in Wakasa Bay.     

Annual and lunar-synchronized ovarian activity in two rabbitfish species in the Chuuk lagoon, Micronesia

ABSTRACT:   This study examined the annual and the lunar cycles of ovarian activity in the forktail rabbitfish Siganus argenteus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) and the spiny rabbitfish Siganus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758), which were collected from the Chuuk lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased in May and June for S. argenteus . For S. spinus , GSI increased in March, and from July to September. During these periods, the ovaries of these species contained oocytes at the tertiary yolk stage or the maturation stage, suggesting that these months are the reproductive season of the two species. During the reproductive season, weekly collection of the fish according to the lunar phase revealed that high GSI occurred around the last quarter moon for S. argenteus and the new moon for S. spinus . In the ovaries, oocytes developed synchronously, and postovulatory follicles, an indicator of spawning, were observed after the respective moon phase, suggesting that these species are restricted lunar-synchronized spawners. Comparisons of the reproductive activity of the two rabbitfishes in the Chuuk lagoon with that in Okinawa waters revealed that there is a geographic difference in the reproductive activity between habitats. However, the lunar phase for exertion of synchronous gonadal maturation and spawning is common in both regions.     

Gonad development of an anadromous fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coilia ectenes</Emphasis> (Engraulidae) in lower reach of Yangtze River,China

ABSTRACT:   Anadromous Coilia ectenes was sampled from the Yangtze estuary at Chongming and two of the primary upstream spawning grounds at Jingjiang and Anqing in April, May, June and August 2006. Gonad development was analyzed for females. In April, fish were collected in the estuary and at Jingjiang, but not at Anqing. No female was mature (gonad at stages IV or V) at either location. In May, 45% of the females were mature in the estuary, 9% at Jingjiang and 5% at Anqing. In June, 86% were mature in the estuary, 83% at Jingjiang and 7% at Anqing. In August, C. ectenes was absent at Jingjiang. No female was mature in the estuary, and all females were mature at Anqing. Absolute fecundity ( AF ) increased significantly with standard length ( SL ) by a power function AF  = 2.27 × 10⁻⁶ ×  SL ^2.67 ( r ² = 0.57, n  = 48, P  < 0.05). Mature females in the estuary were smaller than those at Jingjiang and Anqing. Conservation of spawners in the upstream spawning grounds is important because they have a size-related fecundity advantage over the smaller spawners in the estuary.     

Intra‐annual changes in reproductive indices of male and female Himalayan snow trout,Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832)

Periodic changes in reproductive hormone levels, gonadal histology and gonadosomatic index (GSI) of snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii, were examined to ascertain annual cycle of gonadal development and reproductive status in their natural habitat. In females, there were coherent changes in plasma 17β‐oestradiol and vitellogenin along with GSI, oocyte maturation and vitellogenic progression, collectively indicating two distinct maturation peaks during the months of September and February. Coinciding with this, in males, plasma 11‐keto testosterone was also noticeably higher during September and February, with highest GSI values in September. However, plasma 17α, 20β‐dihydroxyprogesterone levels in males were found to be persistently high from September to February. This observation suggests the potential presence of matured oozing males over a longer period, unlike in females. Overall, the close association between reproductive hormone levels, GSI and gonadal maturation stages in males and females (particularly, the presence of postovulatory follicle complexes) with apparent natural synchronization clearly indicates that S. richardsonii breeds twice in a year, possibly during late September to early November and late February to early April in the coldwater riverine habitats of the Indian Himalayan region.     

Age validation and growth variability of Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> off the Pacific coast of northern Japan

ABSTRACT:   This study examined age and growth of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus off the Pacific coast of northern Japan, and determined whether the growth patterns of male and female fish in northern (40–41°N) and southern (37–38°15'N) waters differ. In total 8095 specimens were collected between January 1999 and December 2005. Zonation consisting of opaque and translucent bands on the otolith was evident. Within each opaque band a thin and clear check (ring mark) was observed in all specimens examined. Monthly change in the frequency of appearance of a ring mark on the outer margin of the otolith indicates that ring marks form between July and August. The von Bertalanffy growth model showed a sexual dimorphism in growth, as females grew faster and reached a larger size than males. The growth patterns obtained by tracking the observed total length for monthly collections showed a rapid increase in total length between August and October. Spatial variation in the growth pattern of male and female fish between northern and southern waters was evident, as southern fish were significantly larger than northern counterparts during 1.25–3.00 years post hatch.