The Effects of Photoperiod and 'Resonance' Lighting Schedules on Sexual Maturation in Female Common Gobies, Pomatoschistus Microps

The responses of captive immature female common gobies, Pomatoschistus microps, to photoperiod at 18 °C were examined. This species responded to long daylengths with greater gonadal growth and more advanced sexual maturation than when exposed to short daylengths. However, there was no obligatory photoperiodic requirement since sexual maturation occurred after prolonged continual exposure to short daylengths. The possible role of an endogenous circadian sensitivity to light was examined, using 'resonance' lighting experiments. There was no consistent evidence for the presence of any such underlying process. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.