Reproductive biology of a riverine cyprinid,Labeo umbratus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), in small South African reservoirs

The reproductive and recruitment characteristics of moggel, Labeo umbratus, populations were examined in four small South African reservoirs. Reproduction, characterised by an extended spawning season, high fecundity, short incubation time and rapid larval development, appears to be ideally suited to the highly variable environment of small reservoirs. Evidence suggested that L. umbratus spawns in the reservoirs. In two reservoirs where samples were conducted monthly, GSI (gonado-somatic index) was positively correlated with both water temperature and day length, whilst the CPUE (catch per unit effort) of juveniles was not related to any environmental variable. The success of moggel spawning appeared to increase when there was early spring and consistent summer rainfall.     

Abundance and distribution of fish in the lower Mnembo River, Malawi-Mozambique

Endorheic Lake Chilwa is one of the most productive lakes for fisheries in Africa. High human population densities and agricultural practices in the Chilwa catchment have been linked to observed declines of the annual fish catch in the lake. The Mnembo River is a major inflow into Lake Chilwa which has received little scientific study to date. In 2003/2004, fish diversity, abundance and distribution were monitored monthly at three sites in the Mnembo River. Twelve fish species were collected, a subset of the fourteen fish species present in Lake Chilwa. Although Barbus spp. were the most abundant species sampled in the Mnembo, total biomass was higher for Labeo cylindricus (6709 and 10,434 g, respectively). Total biomass of Pareutropius longifilis (1741 g) and Brycinus imberi (1174 g) were also high in the river. Catches of Barbus and Labeo were highly correlated (r = 0.763). Compared with other inflows into Lake Chilwa (Likangala and Domasi), the Mnembo River appears to be less adversely influenced by human populations, with high abundance of Barbus and strong presence of the riverine species Labeo, Pareutropius and Brycinus.     

Evidence for lacustrine breeding by sanjika Opsaridium microcephalum (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Lake Malawi

Three species of Opsaridium occur in the Lake Malawi catchment. The kabyabya Opsaridium tweddleorum is a small species restricted to inflowing rivers and streams, the mpasa Opsaridium microlepis is a large lake-dwelling species that ascends the lower reaches of inflowing rivers during the rains to spawn, and the sanjika Opsaridium microcephalum has riverine, potamodromous and lake spawning populations. Evidence for sanjika spawning in the lake itself, rather than just in rivers, is presented here in the form of observations of courting behaviour by fully mature males and females on exposed rocky shores, together with the presence of pin-head fry in areas remote from any inflowing streams during the dry season.     

Temporal constraints on the potential role of fry odors as cues of past reproductive success for spawning lake trout

Deciding where to reproduce is a major challenge for most animals. Many select habitats based upon cues of successful reproduction by conspecifics, such as the presence of offspring from past reproductive events. For example, some fishes select spawning habitat following odors released by juveniles whose rearing habitat overlaps with spawning habitat. However, juveniles may emigrate before adults begin to search for spawning habitat; hence, the efficacy of juvenile cues could be constrained by degradation or dissipation rates. In lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), odors deposited by the previous year's offspring have been hypothesized to guide adults to spawning reefs. However, in most extant populations, lake trout fry emigrate from spawning reefs during the spring and adults spawn during the fall. Therefore, we postulated that the role of fry odors in guiding habitat selection might be constrained by the time between fry emigration and adult spawning. Time course chemical, physiological, and behavioral assays indicated that the odors deposited by fry likely degrade or dissipate before adults select spawning habitats. Furthermore, fry feces did not attract wild lake trout to constructed spawning reefs in Lake Huron. Taken together, our results indicate fry odors are unlikely to act as cues for lake trout searching for spawning reefs in populations whose juveniles emigrate before the spawning season, and underscore the importance of environmental constraints on social cues.     

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE FISH POPULATIONS OF THE RECENTLY-IMPOUNDED KATSE RESERVOIR,LESOTHO

Summary

Katse is a new 35 km long impoundment on the Malibamatso River, a highland tributary of the Orange River in Lesotho. Two fishing surveys in 1996 yielded Barbus aeneus, Labeo capensis, Oncorhynchus mykiss and the occasional Austroglanis sclateri. Length frequency data for the first three species show modes which may represent year classes, although gillnet selectivity also plays a role. Barbus aeneus is abundant throughout the reservoir and could support a subsistence fishery. Labeo capensis is segregated by sex in the breeding season, with males remaining on the spawning grounds at the river mouths while females visit the spawning grounds for a short time to shed their eggs. The absence of small-sized Oncorhynchus mykiss in the catch may be due to pollution from mining and construction affecting the spawning grounds. The catches of larger trout and the outstanding scenery suggest that a tourist sport fishery could be developed on the reservoir based on natural recruitment supplemented, if necessary, by stocking hatchery-reared fish. As the three species are potamodromous, subsistence fishing zones will need to be clearly demarcated to prevent fishing in the vulnerable river mouth areas.     

Aspects of the spawning of western Atlantic butterflyfishes (Pisces: Chaetodontidae)

Synopsis The status of knowledge of spawning among the five shallow waterChaetodon species in the western Atlantic is reviewed. Spawning has been observed for three species in Puerto Rico, St. Croix and the Bahamas, with possible courtship in a fourth.Chaetodon aculeatus spawned near the time of sunset over objects on the reef as single female/male pairs or as two females and one male, with pair spawning in rapid succession. Spawning occurred during much of the lunar month from February to April and it is uncertain whether any lunar periodicity to spawning exists. Male-male aggression was noted. Spawning sites (coral heads) were alternated daily and it is likely that females spawn only once every two days. A single female produced as many as 2090 eggs in a single spawning.Chaetodon capistratus spawned during much of the lunar month from February to April. It spawned about 5 min afterC. aculeatus, occasionally using the same sites, and alternated sites daily. A female produced as many as 3710 eggs in one spawning.Chaetodon striatus spawned from February to April but it is unknown if it has any lunar spawning cycle. No predation attempts by piscivores on spawning adults were seen. Predation byMelichthys niger on eggs ofC. striatus occurred. No egg predation was observed forC. aculeatus andC. capistratus. With an assumed four month reproductive season, alternate day spawning and observed egg production values,C. aculeatus andC. capistratus produce respectively about 100 000 and 200 000 eggs per large female per year. The reproductive strategy of smaller species may be to produce moderate numbers of eggs per day over a spawning season of at least a few months while larger species may produce more eggs per day for a shorter period.     

A bedform morphology hypothesis for spawning areas of Chinese sturgeon

Results from previous research suggested that geomorphic characteristics may be important controlling factors among other microhabitat variables for spawning fish. We investigated the bedform morphology of seven spawning areas (five historic and two present spawning areas) of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) by analysis of relief maps of the riverbed and by field surveys. We conclude that the topographic characteristics of the spawning areas include rocky or gravelly substrate river bend, large variations in water depth and river width and a slope with moderate length and slope. The turning structure and the adverse slope may be the most important topographic characteristics for the spawning areas. Combined with the reproductive occurrence of the fish in these spawning areas, we tentatively propose a bedform morphology hypothesis for the spawning areas. We consider that a spawning area of A. sinensis should consist of three functional areas: Mating area (M), Dispersal area (D) and Incubation area (I). M, D and I are distributed along the water current and their bedform characteristics are clearly different. M is the place for mature fish to mate and spawn. It is usually below a riffle with rolling terrain. D is the place for fertilizing and dispersing fertilized eggs. It is usually in a river bend with sharp variations in terrain, such as deep pools or steep slopes. I is the place for dispersal of fertilized eggs. It is usually in long point bars or broad shallow areas with rocky substrate. This hypothesis could serve as a guideline for improving the present spawning areas or constructing new spawning areas, so as to rehabilitate the wild stock of the sturgeon.     

Molecular and morphological evidence reveals hybridisation between two endemic cyprinid fishes

The geographic occurrence of moggel Labeo umbratus × mud fish Labeo capensis hybrids and the threat of hybridisation to the genetic integrity of L. umbratus were investigated. Genetic evidence from mtDNA cytb and nDNA s7 intron sequence data indicated probable interspecific hybridisation in two impoundments, Hardap Dam (Orange River Basin, Namibia) and Darlington Dam (Sundays River Basin, Eastern Cape, South Africa). Some putative hybrids were morphologically identifiable on account of their meristic and morphometric intermediacy to the parent species. Human activities appear to drive the observed hybridisation, either through dam construction and direct stocking of L. umbratus or via translocation of Labeo capensis and the previously isolated Orange River lineage of L. umbratus into the southern-flowing systems by inter-basin water transfers. It is recommended that further translocation of fish from these areas should be avoided.     

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF TWO LABEO SPECIES IN THE HENDRIK VERWOERD DAM AS DETERMINED BY GILL NET SAMPLING

SUMMARY

A series of seven gill nets was used to sample populations of two Labeo species in the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam. Selection curves were computed for these nets and were used to define size and age structure of the two populations; these populations differ markedly, in that the moggel Labeo umbratus has a greater proportion of mature fish, while Labeo capensis (the Orange River Labeo) showed a more normal size and age distribution. Bio-mass curves closely follow the size distribution, while the fecundity of both species is highest in the larger size groups. These data were used to speculate on a fish exploitation strategy for the dam.     

Embryonic development and reproductive seasonality of Buccinanops globulosus (Nassariidae) (Kiener, 1834) in Patagonia,Argentina

Buccinanops globulosus mated all year round, with higher frequency from May to September, prior to spawning months. Gravid females were found between October and March. Oviposition peaked during rising temperatures and longest daylength while hatching peaked with high water temperature and declining daylength. Gravid females measured between 20 and 41?mm in shell length. The spawn consisted on average of 31 egg capsules, each containing 1266 eggs. Embryos usually completed development within each egg capsule by ingesting small fragments of the uncleaved nurse eggs, which were not a limiting resource. Egg capsules with more than one embryo were not common; in those cases, the embryos had different sizes probably related to intracapsular competition for nutrients, and were on average smaller than solitary embryos in the other capsules. Embryos hatched as crawling juveniles with a mean hatchling shell length of ~3.4?mm. In a few cases, malformed embryos were found, but it was not a common phenomenon. The information recorded in this study, as the minimum reproductive size and spawning season, is valuable for fisheries management.     

Age and growth of a colonizing minnow,Barbus anoplus,in a man-made lake in South Africa

Synopsis Aspects of the life history of Barbus anoplus were studied in Lake le Roux, a turbid man-made lake on the Orange River, South Africa. This minnow underwent a population explosion and successfully colonized the shoreline of the newly-formed lake during the early phases of reservoir filling. Male and female B. anoplus reach sexual maturity in one year at about 40 mm fork length. They have a multiple spawning habit with the first spawning in November–January and the second in February–March. The growth of the two resulting cohorts is discussed. It is proposed that the offspring from the second spawning not only acts as a ‘back-up’ but is capable of prolonging the life of that year-class into an additional reproductive season. Most of the minnows die after their second summer, but more offspring from the second spawning, especially females, live into a third summer. Females attain a larger maximum size (73 mm FL) and age (3–4 years) than males (60 mm FL, 2–3 years). B. anoplus is small and short-lived with a high seasonal reproductive potential, which is in contrast to the larger Barbus species in the Orange River system. These life-history traits enable the species to colonize and successfully inhabit unstable environments and probably account for its widespread distribution.     

Structure of the school of sock-eyed salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus nerka</Emphasis> from the Apuka River (the Northeastern Kamchatka)

Results of study of sock-eyed salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from the Apuka River—the largest river of the northeast of Kamchatka—inflowing Olyutorskii Bay of the Bering Sea are presented. It is established that the school of the Apuka River is represented by the early-run sock-eyed salmon that spawns in Lake Vatyg-Gytkhyn located in the lower part of the basin and by individuals of the later run that spawn in the upper reaches of the river. Early-run sock-eyed salmon appears in the river with signs of spawning changes and a high value of gonadosomatic index (GSI). Late-run sock-eyed salmon migrates to the river without signs of spawning changes and with a relatively low GSI. The age composition of spawners of the early- and late-run sock-eyed salmon is different.     

The annual reproductive pattern of the Antarctic clam, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laternula elliptica</Emphasis> from Marian Cove,King George Island

The annual reproductive cycle of the Antarctic soft-shelled clam, Laternula elliptica, in Marian Cove, King George Island was studied over a 2-year period from February 1998 to January 2000. Annual changes in the gametogenesis were investigated by measuring the percentage of area occupied by oocytes in a follicle [follicle index (FI)] and the oocyte size. In 1998, the monthly mean FI increased significantly from October to November, peaked in December, and decreased rapidly from December to January. In February and March 1999, degenerated eggs were observed in the spent follicles. Degeneration and resorption of residual eggs by phagocytosis occurred mostly in February and March in both 1998 and 1999, although the resorption process was observed year-round. The histology indicated that complete vitellogenic growth of L. ellpitica at Marian Cove takes at least a year and the clams spawn annually during the austral summer. The ripening and subsequent spawning of clams at Marian Cove in 1998 and 1999 coincided with the algal blooming (September–October 1998 and December and January 1999–2000) suggesting that in coastal Antarctica food supply is a crucial factor that governs gonad maturation and subsequent spawning along with the water temperature.     

Brood parasitism of an open-water spawning cichlid by the cuckoo catfish

The cuckoo catfish Synodontis multipunctatus and S. grandiops are endemic to Lake Tanganyika and the only known nonavian vertebrates that exhibit obligate interspecific brood parasitism. Seven maternal mouth-brooding cichlid fish species are reported to be natural hosts of the parasitic catfish and share a common reproductive behaviour that the catfish exploits: cichlid females spawn eggs on the bottom, allowing the catfish female to place her eggs near the cichlid eggs, and the cichlid females collect the catfish eggs by mouth together with their own eggs. However, so far it has not been reported that the cuckoo catfish exploit different spawning behaviours. The genus Cyprichromis consists of five maternal mouth-brooding species endemic to Lake Tanganyika, most of which spawn and collect eggs in open water. This study reports that the cuckoo catfish also parasitizes the open-water spawning Cyprichromis coloratus, although it may not be a regular host.     

The migration of spawning stocks of graylingThymallus thymallus, in Lake Mjøsa, Norway

Synopsis The migration of grayling was studied in Lake Mjøsa and 13 of its tributaries in which grayling spawn. The study demonstrate that grayling spawn in creeks in May/June and leave for Lake Mjøsa shortly after spawning to return the next spring. Once mature, the grayling spawn every year. Grayling mix in the lake and are found at a mean distance of 11.9 km from the estuary of their spawning creek in September. Grayling embryos hatch in June and the juveniles stay in the tributaries until September/October. Grayling spend the winter months in the lake. Out of 1599 grayling tagged in tributaries during the spawning season, 240 of 284 recaptures (84.5%) were made in subsequent spawning seasons in the same tributary in which they were first tagged. Forty-four grayling were recaptured in adjacent tributaries. These results demonstrate that, despite the fact that all grayling leave the tributaries and mix in the lake, there is a high precision of homing. It is suggested that the grayling population in lake Mjøsa is composed of stocks using specific tributaries for spawning.     

Spawning frequency in the eastern Australian river garfish, Hyporhamphus regularis ardelio (Hemiramphidae)

Patterns in the timing of spawning of the eastern Australian river garfish Hyporhamphus regularis ardelio were investigated by sampling fish throughout 24?h during their peak spawning period. Patterns in gonadosomatic indices, the presence of hydrated oocytes and post-ovulatory follicles in histological ovary sections, together with previously demonstrated polymodal distributions of oocytes undergoing final maturation, indicated that river garfish were capable of spawning at any time during the 24?h period. Spawning had either recently occurred or was imminent in all females sampled suggesting that river garfish could spawn multiple times in a given season. Although energy resources are used in the production of low numbers (<2500) of large (~2.5?mm diameter) eggs per batch, total fecundity during the reproductive season may be elevated through multiple spawning events. Implications of these findings on current fishery management regulations are discussed.     

Spatial and Temporal Relations between Fluvial and Allacustrine Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri, Spawning in the Yellowstone River, Outlet Stream of Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri, that spawn in the outlet of Yellowstone Lake show two potamodromous migration patterns, fluvial and allacustrine. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether those fluvial and allacustrine YCT represent reproductively isolated stocks. Redd surveys indicated spawning occurred during about 5 consecutive weeks between late May and mid-July 1993–1995. Lake fish (N=6), defined as radiotagged YCT that entered Yellowstone Lake after the spawning period (i.e. allacustrine pattern), were found in the river between the lake outlet (river kilometer [Rkm] 0) and Rkm 20.0 during spawning. Probable lake fish (N=28; tagged YCT that were last detected near the lake outlet) were found between Rkm 0 and Rkm 22.5 during spawning. River fish (N=4; tagged YCT that remained in the river when annual tracking concluded in fall, i.e. fluvial pattern) were found between Rkm 1.1 and Rkm 18.0 during spawning. Fidelity to spawning areas used between consecutive years was suggested by one of five lake fish and the single river fish for which data were available. Spatial overlap in spawning and a lack of temporal separation between the life-history types during spawning suggested that fluvial and allacustrine YCT were not reproductively isolated. Radiotagging, as well as visual observations made annually from boats during April and May, indicated fluvial YCT overwintered downstream from Rkm 14 and were few, probably on the order of 10% of all YCT that spawned in the Yellowstone River.     

Lunar periodicity in the spawning of yellowtail damselfish,Microspathodon chrysurus

Synopsis The reproductive behavior of yellowtail damselfish,Microspathodon chrysurus, was studied off the Caribbean coast of Panama to determine if there is a lunar spawning cycle. Male damselfish prepare nest sites on dead coral surfaces within their permanent feeding territories. Spawning occurs at sunrise and lasts for approximately one hour. Males defend the eggs until hatching, which occurs before the morning of the sixth day of incubation. Males spawn only once a day, but may spawn many times within each reproductive phase. Reproductive activity is highest in the time periods from full to new moon. The timing of this lunar cycle differs from those reported for other marine fishes. The spawning pattern is not consistent with common explanations for lunar periodicity that are based on the role of tides or moonlight. Some implications of these results for the organization of tropical reef communities are discussed.     

A contribution to the study of the food of six cyprinid fishes in three areas of the Lake Victoria basin,East Africa

An account of the food of six species of cyprinid fish from the Lake Victoria basin is given. All the species studied possess tubular stomachs and analysis was carried out on entire guts, the relative importance of the various dietary items being assessed by the frequency occurrence method. Results indicate that these species are omnivorous, and their food ranges from debris, diatoms through algae, insect larvae to molluscs. Comparison of the food of Barbus spp. from the lake and river shows that riverine fish ingest more plant material than lake fish.     

Resident spawning of Japanese smelt,Hypomesus nipponensis,along gravel shorelines in Lake Nojiri,Central Japan

In Lake Nojiri, the Japanese smelt, Hypomesus nipponensis McAllister, 1963, population has been thought to be maintained by artificial spawning, and stocking efforts as natural spawning in in-flowing streams is unlikely due to the lack of inflowing stream habitat. In this study, novel resident Japanese smelt spawning was observed along the lakeshore in shallow areas with clean gravel and flow. Spawning occurred at night during early March to mid-April and eggs, confirmed on gravel substrate, progressed to the eyed state in 5–6 weeks. Although natural spawning was observed, the ratio of eggs that progressed to the eyed stage was minimal, possibly due to thick algae cover in areas with low flow velocity. Therefore, resident Japanese smelt spawning along the lake shoreline is physically possible and potentially contributes to the overall population in Lake Nojiri, but in-lake spawning alone presumably is not a biologically viable method for population sustainability due to low survival rates and egg density at present. Environmental improvements such as construction of fish ladders to suitable in-flowing spawning habitat, introduction of clean gravel to shorelines, and water level management adjusted to the smelt spawning run would contribute to higher recruitment by natural smelt reproduction, and consequently enhance the smelt production in Lake Nojiri.