Observations on the biology of the perch, Perca fluviatilis, in the River Stour, Dorset

SUMMARY. Opercular bones from 323 perch from the River Stour were used for age and back-calculated growth determinations. Annuli were formed during May at the beginning of the growth period. Growth was minimal from October to April. Female perch grew faster than males, and the growth rates of both sexes were higher than those observed in most other European waters. Spawning occurred during late April and early May; male gonads began development in August and had attained their maximum weight in September, but the ovaries developed gradually from August until April. Immature perch had an annual cycle of condition with a maximum in June-July and a minimum in December-January. The condition of mature males and females was affected by the gonad cycle. The fecundity of Stour perch is expressed by the formula: log egg number = 2.40 log length (mm) - 1.34.
Approximately 25% of males were mature at age I and all were mature at age II, whereas most females did not spawn until age III. Ephemeroptera nymphs and minnow fry constituted the bulk of the diet of 0-group perch; Ephemeroptera nymphs, minnow fry and Corixidae were the most numerous items in I group perch, whereas older perch contained Corixidae and a wider range of fish prey species, although minnows were the most numerous of these.     

Plasma steroid hormone profiles and reproductive biology of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum.

Examination of the reproductive biology of the oviparous epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, was conducted on a wild population. Male sharks were found to reach maturity at between 55-60 cm total length (TL) and female sharks mature around 55 cm TL. Blood samples collected from mature male and female sharks were analyzed for sex steroid hormones to examine seasonal hormone patterns. Plasma samples were analyzed via radioimmunoassay techniques with female samples measured for estradiol, progesterone, and androgen concentrations, and male samples measured for androgen concentrations. Male androgen concentrations showed a single broad peak from July to October with maximum hormone concentrations (60 ng/ml) occurring in August. Male androgen concentrations were lowest in December-February (<20 ng/ml), and appeared to correlate with reproductive activity and water temperature. Female androgen concentrations were an order of magnitude lower than those for males and showed peaks in June (6 ng/ml) and December (8 ng/ml). Estradiol concentrations in females peaked during the months of September-November (0.5 ng/ml) coinciding with the egg laying period. Progesterone concentrations ranged up to 0.5 ng/ml prior to the mating season. Observations of ova size and egg production showed eggs develop in pairs and ova are ovulated at a size of 25-27 mm. Females lay eggs from August to January. Males were observed with swollen claspers from July through December, with the highest amount of sperm storage in the epididymis occurring between August through November. Our observations indicate that epaulette sharks in the waters near Heron Island mate from July through December. J. Exp. Zool. 284:586-594, 1999.     

Age,growth and reproduction of a population of spined loach,Cobitis taenia (L.)

751 specimens of spined loach, Cobitis taenia (L.), were collected and studied over the period October 1972–October 1974. The majority of the males were found to die at the end of the 2+ season and the majority of the females at the end of the 3+ season. Back calculations for length at age were carried out from otolith measurements and found to correspond closely to actual measurements. Males and females grew similarly up until the end of their 1+ year of life, with most rapid growth occurring in the first year. Females continued to grow rapidly up to 2+, the rate then being reduced; the males showed an increasingly reduced rate of growth after the 1+ year. Ford Walford plots gave L∞ results which corresponded closely in most cases with the largest observed specimens. Gonad development and maturation of males and females followed different patterns. Males matured during the 1 + year at a length of approximately 40 mm from which point their dry gonad weight remained at a steady 0.02–0.03% of the body weight. Females appeared to mature a year later and their ovary weight and oocyte diameter increased with fish age. A seasonal cycle in gonad development was evident in females. There was a greater proportion of females to males, especially in the older age group. Spawning time was estimated to be between June and July.     

Observations on the age, growth, reproduction and food of the roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) in two rivers in southern England

Scales and opercular bones from 632 roach from the River Stour were used for age and back-calculated growth determinations. The scales had clearer inner annuli but operculars clearer outer annuli in fish more than nine years old. The annuli were laid in late May or early June at the beginning of the growth period. Growth was minimal between November and April. Roach from both rivers grow faster than those in most other European waters. Female roach grow faster than males; River Frome roach faster than those from the Stour. Spawning occurred in May and elaboration of gonads between September and May. Immature roach have an annual cycle in condition with a maximum in June and a minimum in early Spring. The condition of mature females is affected by the gonad cycle. The fecundity of Stour roach is represented by the formula: log egg number=4.43 log length (mm)—1.69. Approximately half of the Stour males attained sexual maturity at age III and most of the rest by age IV. Half of the females were mature at age IV and the remainder by age V. Both brood success and growth rate varied from year to year but independently of one another. Most Stour roach ate aquatic insect larvae and molluscs but algae were more frequent in the diet of larger fish.     

Reproductive biology of the fanray, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platyrhina sinensis</Emphasis> (Batoidea: Platyrhinidae) in Ariake Bay,Japan

The reproductive biology of the fanray, Platyrhina sinensis, was examined in Ariake Bay, Japan, from May 2002 until December 2006. Females reached sexual maturity at a larger size than males [total length (TL) at 50% sexual maturity: male, 393 mm; female, 421 mm]. The present data support a distinct annual reproductive cycle for P. sinensis. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) for mature males showed a clear seasonal trend, declining from August to November. Histological observations showed that mature sperm in the testes occurred from August to November when monthly GSI declined. Concomitantly, pre-ovulatory ova were observed in females collected from August to November. These data indicate that mating, ovulation and fertilization occurred from August to November. Near-term embryos, neonates and recent post-partum females also occurred from August to November. Additionally, all post-partum females possessed large pre-ovulatory ova. Parturition occurred from August to November followed immediately by mating, ovulation and fertilization. Mature females become pregnant every year, and the gestation period is almost 1 year. Fertilized uterine eggs without macroscopic embryonic development were present throughout the annual reproductive cycle, indicating that P. sinensis utilizes embryonic diapause as its reproductive strategy. Both reproductive tracts of females were functional, and fecundity ranged from 1 to 12 with a mean of 6.0, increasing with TL.     

Observations on the age, growth, reproduction and food of the dace, Leuciscus leuciscus (L.), in two rivers in southern England

Scales of 497 dace from the river Stour and 573 from the river Frome were used for age determinations. Annuli were laid down in late May to early June at the start of the growth period. Minimal growth occurred from November to April. Male dace grew minimally faster than females; Frome dace faster than those from the Stour. Growth rates in the two rivers were similar to those published for most other European waters. Variation in growth rates in different years was not great, but there were marked differences in recruitment success. Spawning occurred in the second half of March and elaboration of the gonads between September and March. Immature dace have an annual cycle in condition with a maximum in June and a minimum during the winter months. The condition of the mature females is affected by the gonad cycle. The fecundity of Stour dace is represented by the formula:

and for Frome dace by:

Most dace were mature by age IV, but there were more mature II and III group fish in the Frome population. Molluscs and Trichoptera larvae comprised the bulk of the winter diet of Stour dace, and Ephemeroptera nymphs, Simulium and chironomid larvae were the principal constituents during the summer.     

Reproductive cycle and reproductive output of the sea urchin Loxechinus albus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) from Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Reproductive cycle, frequency and duration of spawning, energetic content of gonads, and reproductive output of the common green sea urchin Loxechinus albus were analyzed in the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego) between May 2004 and May 2005. Gonad indices (GI, percentages of gonad mass in total body mass) were significantly higher in March, April, July, and August than in November and May, thus showing a negative correlation with the photoperiod. Highest GI values of mature individuals were observed in August, and spawning occurred from September to December. In females, the mass-specific energy content of gonads (ECG) was highest in spawned gonads and lowest in mature ones, while in males ECG values were higher in immature stage and lower in premature and mature stages. High ECG values can be explained by the abundance of nutritive phagocytes. Both ECG and total gonad energy content (TECG) were higher in females than in males. Mean reproductive output was 7.28% for females and 6.15% for males (expressed as the difference between mean GI of mature and spawned gonads) and 25.02 kJ for females and 19.26 kJ for males (expressed as the difference between mean TECG of mature and spawned gonads).     

Growth and reproduction of Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus) (Pisces: Triglidae) in the Gulf of Gabès,Tunisia

Growth and reproduction of Chelidonichthys lucerna is reported from Tunisian waters. A total of 286 specimens was collected from landings of bottom trawlers between January 2003 and November 2004. The total length ranged from 16 to 36 cm in females and from 17 to 26 cm in males. Marginal increment analysis of otoliths showed that the translucent zone was laid from October to May and the opaque zone laid from June to September. Females were from 0.5 to 9 years and males from 1 to 7 years old. Growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were TL_∞ = 40.26; K = 0.06 and t₀ = ?3.03 in females and TL_∞ = 46.16; K = 0.059 and t₀ = ?1.32 in males. The coefficient of the allometric length–weight relationships differed significantly by sex. Females with mature gonads were observed between October and May, with peaks in January and February. Length at which 50% of specimens were mature was 21.6 cm TL (estimated age about 3 years) in females and 19.2 cm TL (estimated age about 1.5 years) in males.     

Gonadal maturation,fecundity, spawning,and timing of reproduction in the mud snail,Cerithidea cingulata,a pest in milkfish ponds in the Philippines

Summary

Gonadal maturation, spawning, fecundity and timing of reproduction of the snail Cerithidea cingulata in a brackish water pond in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines, are described. Snails 4–41 mm in shell length were sampled monthly from May 1997 to May 1998; 25% were <25 mm, 67% were 20–30 mm, and 8% were >30 mm. The sexes are separate and could first be distinguished at 15 mm. Males are aphallic, have narrower shells than females of the same length, and have bright yellow-orange testes overlying the digestive gland deep inside the shell. Females have more robust shells, an ovipositor at the right side of the foot, and yellow-green ovaries overlying the digestive gland. The sex ratio was one male to two females in the pond population studied. Gonadal maturation was monitored by means of gonadosomatic index (GSI, gonad weight as a percent of visceral weight); maturation stages were based on the gonad appearance (immature, developing, mature) and histology (immature, developing, mature, redeveloping). GSI increased with snail size, and reached 16% in a 33-mm female. The smallest mature males and females were 18–19 mm, and most snails >20 mm were mature, spawning, or redeveloping. Histological sections showed all stages of gametogenesis in mature male snails. The oocyte size-frequency distributions in mature females showed mostly mature oocytes and secondary oocytes, but also oogonia and primary oocytes. GSI and the frequency of snails at different maturation stages varied over the year. Both GSI and the frequency of mature snails were highest during the summer months, April to August. Nevertheless, mature snails occurred throughout the whole year, as did mating and egg-laying. Fecundity (= number of oocytes >70 pμ) increased with size in mature females 2041 mm; an average 25-mm female produced about 1,500 oocytes and larger females produced a maximum of about 2,500 oocytes. Eggs strings laid on the pond bottom were 45–75 mm long; an average 64-mm string contained 2,000 eggs 210+20 pm in diameter. The density of eggs strings was highest (80–120/m²) during March-September. Eggs hatched after 6–7 d into planktonic veligers, which in turn settle on the pond bottom 11–12 d later as juveniles. Juveniles 2–6-mm long were most abundant in the pond during August-October.     

Size-related and seasonal patterns of egg collar production in Polinices pulchellus (Gastropoda: Naticidae) Risso 1826

Polinices pulchellus held in the laboratory produced egg collars all year round. Egg collar production was greatest during July and August and only occurred in females >8-10 mm shell length. The largest individuals (14-16 mm shell length) had the highest fecundity and ceased egg-laying in late September, whilst 8-14 mm individuals laid egg collars until November. Small females (4-6 mm) grew rapidly during the warmer, summer months (April to August), became sexually mature and began laying egg collars in mid-September. Both the range of egg collar wet weights and the maximum wet weight of an individual egg collar increased with female size class. Temperature strongly affected the length of time between the laying of egg collars and the hatching of larvae (9-10 days at 19-20 °C and 14-15 days at 13-14 °C). A close relationship was also found between egg collar wet weight and the number of veliger larvae released.     

雅鲁藏布江黑斑原鮡繁殖生物学研究

对2004-2006年采集于雅鲁藏布江拉萨河的190尾黑斑原鮡进行了繁殖生物学研究。雄性最小性成熟(精巢Ⅳ期)个体体长141.7mm,体重45.2g,性体指数1.09%,雌性最小性成熟(卵巢Ⅳ期)个体体长146.8mm,体重66.7g性体指数11.52%,相应年龄均为5龄。初次性成熟年龄(L50):♂,170.1mm相应年龄为7龄;♀,150.2mm,相应年龄5龄。通过组织切片法和GSI的周年变化分析,繁殖时间集中在5-6月,每年繁殖一次,繁殖之后的6-8月卵巢从Ⅵ期回复到Ⅲ期,9月卵巢发育到Ⅳ期越冬。卵径频率分布显示,卵巢发育类型为分批同步型,卵巢中至少存在2批卵径,每年成熟一批卵并同时产出,产卵类型为完全同步产卵。卵黏性,成熟卵卵径在2.04-3.37mm之间,平均(2.83±0.16)mm。对19尾产卵前夕(体长为151.0-210.0mm)的标本进行统计,其绝对繁殖力范围在525-2058粒之间,平均为(1244±346)粒,相对繁殖力为(14.7±5.8)粒/g。绝对繁殖力与体长呈直线正相关,表达式为F=13.624L-1187。       

Reproductive strategy of the snapping shrimp Alpheus armillatus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837 in the South Atlantic: fecundity,egg features,and reproductive output

Summary

The family Alpheidae, composed by shrimps of relatively small size, popularly known as snapping shrimps, is the one of the most diverse decapod groups. These shrimps are found worldwide and occur in tropical and subtropical waters, from the intertidal zone to great depths. We investigated reproductive aspects of Alpheus armillatus, in order to gather information on egg production, aiming to enhance knowledge of its reproductive strategies in a population in an intertidal area of the South Atlantic. Ovigerous females were collected under rocks, in May and July 2006 (dry season) and in November 2006 and March 2007 (rainy season). Egg production and reproductive output were analyzed and compared seasonally and during the period of embryonic development. Females measured on average 11.28 mm CL, with a mean of 763 eggs and 0.10 mm3 egg volume. The egg volume of this population was smaller than previous estimates for other species of snapping shrimps, but the mean egg number was higher. The volume of eggs doubled during the incubation period, but despite this increase, no significant loss of eggs was observed. Alpheus armillatus invests on average about 12% of body weight in reproduction. The proportional investment in egg production is significantly higher in the rainy season when compared with the dry season (17.9% vs 4.8%), correlated with higher temperatures and increased food availability at this time. Our results corroborated the hypothesis of a pattern of egg production influenced by environmental conditions and intraspecific variability among the family Alpheidae, as a function of the biogeographic region.     

The reproductive cycle of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus nilotkus)

The reproductive cycle of the Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus ) was studied in Zimbabwe. Females attained sexual maturity after they had reached a total length of about 262 to 287 cm and males, 270 to 295 cm. Some adult females did not reproduce every year. Follicle growth and vitellogenesis occurred from April to mid August during the dry winter. During this time reproductive females had elevated levels of plasma oestradiol-17β, testosterone, calcium and magnesium, but lowered levels of iron. The measuring of plasma calcium was an 'early pregnancy' test, reliable up to four months before nesting. Elevated levels of plasma testosterone in reproductive females corresponded to the time of courtship and mating. Ovulation occurred during the latter half of August. Males had viable sperm from mid May to mid September, during the winter. Courtship and mating occurred from late June to mid August, when crocodiles were confined to pools. Females nested on the higher sand ridges in the dry river bed from early September to early October, and eggs hatched during December.     

Some observations on the biology of Cirrhinus reba (Cuvier)

Some observations on the biology of Cirrhinus reba (Cuvier) from Muzaffarnagar (U.P., India) have been made during the period July 1966 to June 1969. In C. reba both males and females mature simultaneously. The gonads attain the maximum weight in June and minimum in November. There is a definite seasonal cycle in relative condition. The relative condition in both male and female is highest in June preceeding the period of breeding. It is the gonad weight which influences the fluctuations of the relative condition. The visceral weight does not exert any significant effect on it. It is found possible to determine the spawning season and its extent, from the seasonal fluctuations of the relative condition. The present studies have also thrown light on the maturation and spawning habits of C. reba . The fish has only one spawning season of short duration, running from July to early September. In a mature ovary, the mature ova form only one mode which is sharply distinguished from the immature stock.     

Reproductive biology of the silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen), in Kuwait waters

The reproductive activities of the silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen), in Kuwait waters were investigated from March 1996 to February 1998. Observations on the seasonal distribution of maturity stages and variations in seasonal fluctuations in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) confirmed recent findings that the spawning period begins in May. The species has a prolonged spawning period in the females extending from May to August, whereas the males mature in April and ripe specimens were encountered in monthly samples until September. The recruitment pattern confirmed the one breeding season. There are two spawning peaks, the first in May and the second in August. Variations in GSI relative to fish length indicated that females and males are most fecund at about 24.5–26.4 cm and 20.5–22.4 cm length classes, respectively. The males mature earlier than females, at a minimum size of 12.5–14.4 cm, while the females mature at 20.5–22.4 cm. The oocyte diameter‐frequency distribution suggests a serial rhythm of spawning. Fecundity ranged from 28 965 to 455 661 and correlated positively with: (a) standard length (P < 0.006); (b) ovary weight (P < 0.001); and (c) body weight (P < 0.001), and negatively with egg size (P < 0.003).     

Growth of dark chub, Zacco temmincki (Cyprinidae), with a discussion of sexual size differences

I examined the annual and seasonal growth of dark chub, Zacco temmincki, in a Japanese river. Investigation of opercular rings showed that the fish reached a maximum age of 8 years. There was no significant sexual size difference at younger ages (3–5 years), but males were larger than females at older ages (6–7 years). Annual increments of length and weight for males that were recaptured were also larger than those for females. The fish spawn from June to August. Females grew for a short period from April to May, but males on average grew for a longer period from April to August. There was no sexual difference in growth rate except during the spawning period. Annual growth rate was negatively correlated with fish length in each sex. The sexual size differences at older ages of the fish might be due to the polygynous mating system in which most mature males could not obtain females and invested for somatic growth in the spawning period, and a short growing season that was overlapped considerably with the spawning period.     

Seasonal variations in biochemical composition during the reproductive cycle of the veined rapa whelk Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) from the northern coast of China

Seasonal variations in the biochemical composition of Rapana venosa in relation to reproductive cycle and environment on the northern coast of China were investigated from March 2012 to February 2013. The results indicated that R. venosa has an annual reproductive cycle with synchronized gonad development in both females and males. Gametogenesis was initiated in September and gametes developed slowly during the winter, followed by rapid gonad development during spring and summer. Most individuals from this study were sexually mature between May and June, and gamete release occurred mainly between May and August. The peak of spawning was found in July and the recovery of the gonad was observed between August and November. The key biochemical components including glycogen, protein and lipid were analysed in four tissues, specifically the gonad, digestive gland, mantle and foot. The declining glycogen content in the gonad, digestive gland and mantle during maturation suggested that glycogen was consumed during the development of the gonad. Lipids and protein can be stored in the digestive gland and used during the winter in a period of food shortage. The protein and lipid contents in the ovaries increased during gonad development, which suggested that the protein and lipid had been accumulated as vitellin in oocytes.     

Reproductive cycle of gilt sardine,Sardinella aurita,Valenciennes 1847, in the eastern middle Adriatic Sea

The annual reproduction cycle of gilt sardine, Sardinella aurita, based on gonad maturity stages, gonad weight and gonadosomatic index was the subject of this study. A total of 2033 gilt sardines (983 males, 1021 females and 29 undetermined) were analysed. Fish were collected monthly from commercial purse seiners between November 2007 and January 2009 in the eastern middle Adriatic Sea (mesh size 8 mm/bar length/; sampling: five boats per month). Based on the monthly evolution of gonad maturation stages, gonad weights and gonadosomatic index, the peak spawning season was determined to be from June to August. Variations in sea surface temperature (SST) coincided with monthly variations of the gonadosomatic index. Highest monthly average values for both analysed parameters were recorded in July (GSI = 3.38; T = 26.5°C). Fifty per cent (L₅₀) of males and females reached sexual maturity at TL 15.8 cm and at 16.6 cm, respectively. Absolute fecundity ranged from 8458 to 48 032 (mean 34 565 ± 10 310), whereas relative fecundity was from 171 to 722 (mean 385 ± 104.35). Mean value of the oocyte size was 0.53 ± 0.10 mm.     

2016年南极斯科舍海南极大磷虾种群结构的时空变化

斯科舍海是南极大磷虾资源分布最为密集的海域,也是磷虾的传统渔场,但该海域磷虾种群结构存在较为显著的年际、季节性与区域性差异.为了解该海域磷虾种群动态,本研究利用2016年1—9月由渔业调查随机收集的样本,对该海域磷虾种群结构的时空变动进行了分析.结果表明: 各月磷虾性比存在显著的差异,1—5月雌性明显占优,而6—9月则呈现相反的趋势.1—9月期间,仅1月出现幼体,且雌性成体的比例与2月相当,占比超过了40%;3—5月,雌性未成体的比例均超过了50%,而雌性成体的比例开始逐月下降;6—8月,雄性未成体的比例达到峰值;9月,雌性未成体的比例显著增加,而雄性成体的比例呈下降趋势.在布兰斯菲尔德海峡内,2—5月,雌性未成体的比例超过一半;1月,乔治王岛东北水域已排卵个体的比例(25.6%)显著高于其他个体,雌性临产个体的比例也较高;6—9月,南乔治亚岛东北水域雄性成体的比例约占一半,雌性成体的比例极低.性成熟度组成显示,1—2月为磷虾产卵盛期,而产卵场出现在乔治王岛东北水域以及布兰斯菲尔德海峡.     

Field overwintering biology of Spiroplasma kunkelii (Mycoplasmatales: Spiroplasmataceae) and its vector Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

We studied the corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS), Spiroplasma kunkelii (Mycoplasmatales: Spiroplasmataceae) and its vector the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) under field conditions in Mexico. We surveyed for the presence of CSS in D. maidis by using PCR on samples of adults collected during the 2000–01 and 2003–04 winter (dry) seasons from irrigated low‐elevation sites and un‐irrigated high‐elevation sites. Also, we determined the body size and number of mature eggs of D. maidis females collected during the dry season in 2004 and in females collected on maize seedlings in the first months (June and July) of the wet (summer) season in 2005. Our PCR results showed that CSS was present in leafhopper adults collected during the 2000–01 and 2003–04 dry seasons in irrigated low‐elevation sites. However, in un‐irrigated high‐elevation sites, CSS was present in corn leafhopper adults caught before, but not during, the dry seasons. In these un‐irrigated high‐elevation sites, adult leafhoppers without CSS were recovered during the first 2 months (November and December) of the dry season from the foliage of wild perennial grasses. Females collected on wild perennial grasses in December 2004 showed similar head width and wing length to females caught on maize seedlings in June 2005. However, females collected on maize seedlings in July 2005 had the widest heads, longest wings and highest number of mature eggs. The largest body size of these females that arrived in July 2005 indicates that they are immigrants and support the Roff’s hypothesis that insect migrants should be larger than nonmigrants.