Annual changes in testicular development and plasma sex steroids in the captive male dojo loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</Emphasis>

Testicular development in the captive male dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus was examined monthly in relation to the levels of plasma sex steroids [testosterone (T), 11-ketotestostrone (11-KT), and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP)]. On the basis of testicular histology, the annual gonadal cycle was found to be divisible into 3 periods: the recovery and proliferation period, which mainly consists of early spermatogenic testis from August to November (reproductive phase I); the preparation period for the next spawning period, which mainly consists of late spermatogenic testis from December to April (reproductive phase II); and the mature period, characterized by a high proportion of mature testis from May to July (reproductive phase III). Individual variability in testicular development was high, and continuous spermatogenesis was observed throughout the year. High levels of plasma T, 11-KT, and DHP were observed during reproductive phase III. 11-KT began to increase in February, while T was present at low levels in reproductive phase II. These results suggest that the physiologically active season of testis development for breeding in the dojo loach is from May to July, although spermatogenesis occurs throughout the year.     

The occurrence of pinhole disease in relation to developmental stage in cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Undaria pinnatifida</Emphasis> (Harvey) Suringar (Phaeophyta) in Korea

Infection rates of pinhole disease in farmed Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar were examined between November 2002 and April 2003 at an Undaria farm at Wando on the southwestern coast of Korea. The growth stages of U. pinnatifida can be defined as: a growth phase from December to the end of February, and a decay phase from March to April. There was a significant increase in the level of infection with pinhole disease (measured as the number of pinholes per cm²) between December and April (P < 0.01). Infection progressed from the upper part of the frond in December to the basal part in April. The infection rate of pinhole disease in relation to growth phase on farms over time is limited by the harvest of the seaweed crop at the end of the cultivation period in April. The midrib, sporophyll and stipe showed no signs of infection at any time during the cultivation period. The reduced physiological activity and tissue aging that occurred over time in the sporophytic life phase is the probable cause of the increasing infection rate of the disease.     

Ecological aspects of Sargassum muticum (Fucales,Phaeophyta) in Baja California,Mexico: reproductive phenology and epiphytes

The reproductive phenology and epiphytic macroalgae of Sargassum muticum were studied through an annual cycle (September 1987 to November 1988) at two sites on the northwestern coast of Baja California, Mexico, which were subjected to different degrees of wave exposure. Sargassum muticum is a brown alga of Japanese origin, now considered a permanent member of the marine flora of Baja California. A similar reproductive development was observed at both sites, with a maximum percentage of reproductive plants from May to July (spring–summer) and minimum from December to March (winter). Reproductive plants were found throughout the year. A total of 48 species of epiphytes were identified and seasonal variation in their diversity was observed. The greatest diversity was found at the more protected site.     

Reproduction of the long-tongued nectar bat Macroglossus minimus (Pteropodidae) in Brunei, Borneo

The long‐tongued nectar bat Macroglossus minimus lagochilus (Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae) is a small fruit bat inhabiting South‐east Asia. Its reproduction was studied in Brunei, Borneo, where individuals were usually captured in rainforest (Ulu Temburong). Adult females (n = 23) had body masses of 13.0–19.0 g, with forelimbs 3.83–4.33 cm in length. All adult females were pregnant, with pregnancies observed during every month except May, September and November when no adult females were captured. Female M. minimus in Brunei have a reproductive cycle that is consistent with a pattern of seasonal bimodal polyoestry. Most births appear to occur from November to May, during which time females experience two births: the first centred around November and December, and the second centred around April and May. These two birth seasons appear correlated to the two seasons of greater rainfall in Brunei: October to December, and April to July. Oestrous and mating apparently occur soon after each birth; however, there appears to be a 2‐ to 3‐month period of delayed embryonic development following the births centred around April and May. The data are consistent with embryonic development commencing around July and August (after a delay) for the births centred around November and December, and around December and January for the births centred around April and May. The data suggest that all adult females participate in each breeding season. Adult males (n = 20) had body masses of 12.5–18.0 g, with forelimbs 3.91–4.26 cm in length.     

REPRODUCTIVE PERIODICITY OF THE SEA URCHIN,TRIPNEUSTES GRATILLA (L.) IN TAIWAN COMPARED WITH OTHER REGIONS

An annual reproductive periodicity of Tripneustes gratilla in northern Taiwan is revealed by both the gonad development stages and the gonad index. The gonads of T. gratilla recovered from spawning in February—March, propagated gametocytes in April—June, came to prematurity in July—August, and matured in September—November. Spawning occurred in October—December. The breeding pattern of T. gratilla over a broad geographical area appears to be related to seasonal changes of sea temperatures.     

Histomorphological and endocrine assessment of female Arabian carpetshark,Chiloscyllium arabicum (Elasmobranchii: Hemiscylliidae) from the Persian Gulf during annual reproductive cycle

The present study aimed at assessing the annual reproductive cycle of female Arabian carpetshark, Chiloscyllium arabicum from the Persian Gulf by a macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the reproductive tract. The annual cycle of gonadal steroids [17β-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T)] was also assessed in this shark. In total, 130 female C. arabicum were collected from the Bahrakan Creek (located northwest of the Persian Gulf) between January 2018 and March 2019. Females were oviparous with an external-type ovary and only one functional ovary. Five sexual maturity stages were recognized based on macroscopic and microscopic evaluation: Immature I (August–October), Immature II (November–January), Mature (February–March), Pregnant (April–May) and Spent (June–July). The structural changes in the oviducts, oviducal glands and uterus throughout the annual reproductive cycle were consistent with their roles in the egg movement, the egg capsule production and sperm storage. The plasma levels of the gonadal steroids were associated with morphological changes in the reproductive tract. E2 showed two detectable peaks during March (close to ovulation) and June (just before mating). P4 and T displayed a peak just before ovulation.     

Structural characteristics of gonadal development and hermaphroditic phenomenon in freshwater pearl mussel,Sinohyriopisis schlegelii (Hyriopisis schlegelii)

The period of gonads development was first studied from one to five years in the freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopisis schlegelii. It lasted for 36 months and was divided into three main stages: initiation of gonad formation, a stable growth phase, and a reproductive cell development phase. Each reproductive cycle consisted of five stages: proliferative stage (from late January to late February), growth stage (from late February to late March), maturation stage, spawning stage (from early April to late October) and recovery stage (from early November to late January). Interestingly, a hermaphroditic phenomenon was observed in this mussel for the first time, which appears during the development stage from 26 to 32 months. Male and female follicular tissues coexisted in hermaphrodite individuals with the male follicular tissue accounting for more than 90% of the whole gonad tissue. No hermaphroditic phenomenon was observed in matured gonad. We thus speculate that self-fertilization does not exist in H. schlegelii.     

Quantitative assessment of reproductive effort of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in a lagoon on Jeju Island (Korea) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

We investigated gonad development and reproductive effort (RE) of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum at Jeju Island, Korea. Gonad maturation and RE were determined using histology and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In June 2006, most of the clams (80%) in the lagoon were in the resting stage. Spawning clams first appeared in late July, and most clams spawned from early August to mid-September. The condition index increased gradually from early July to late August, then declined from early to mid-September, suggesting that spawning occurred during this period. The gonadosomatic index assessed by ELISA also increased dramatically from June (0.9), peaked in early August (19.7) then declined from late August to mid-September, indicating that clams at the study site had only one spawning pulse during the spawning period. Spawning at Jeju Island was one month later than Manila clams on the west coast of Korea. The delayed spawning and low RE of the clams could be in part, be explained by lower food availability, as the level of chlorophyll-a recorded in this study was much lower than that found in water from the west and south coast.     

Reproductive dynamics of the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti (Burkenroad 1936) in a beach seine fishery in northeastern Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the reproductive dynamics of the Litopenaeus schmitti through macroscopic and microscopic analyses. Specimens were collected monthly from December 2016 to November 2017 through artisanal beach seine fishery in the municipality of Lucena, state of Paraíba, Brazil. A total of 1710 shrimp were caught and the proportion of males was significantly lower than that of females (43.51% and 56.49%). The ovarian maturation stages were classified as immature, initial development, advanced development, mature and spent. These classification criteria added an additional stage than those previously reported for this species on the Brazilian coast. The proportion of ovarian maturation stages per month suggest a seasonal reproductive cycle that extends from September to June, with no reproductive activity occurring in July and August. The reproductive activity was directly related to the precipitation and salinity in the area of the present study. Mean cephalothorax length at first gonad maturity for females (2.20 cm) was larger than values reported 13 years ago for this species in the same area. This finding may indicate that the prohibition of motorized trawler fishing in the area since 1990 is contributing to the more sustainable exploitation of this resource.     

Reproductive biology of Philodryas patagoniensis (Snakes: Dipsadidae) in south Brazil: Female reproductive cycle

In this study, we describe the female reproductive cycle of Philodryas patagoniensis in south Brazil, which was described through morpho‐anatomical and histological analyses. The peak of secondary vitellogenesis occurred during winter–spring (July–December), ovulation in spring (October–December), mating and fertilization in spring–summer (October–February), oviposition in spring–autumn (October–May) and births from late spring to autumn (December–July). The diameter of vitellogenic follicles/eggs was larger in winter–spring than in other seasons. The diameter of the shell glands was also larger in winter–spring. In spite of the clear reproductive peak, gonads only showed reduced activity in the autumn. Therefore, at the individual level, females have a discontinuous cyclical reproduction; in the populational level, the reproductive cycle is seasonal semisynchronous. We support the hypothesis that P. patagoniensis have the ability to produce multiple clutches with long‐term stored sperm. Sexual dimorphism in body size was evident, and females are significantly larger and heavier than males. Larger females were able to produce follicles and eggs in larger amount and size. The maternal body size was positively related to the reproductive effort and fecundity. To conclude, we deliberated about the proximal and distal causes that influence the reproductive traits and patterns of P. patagoniensis.     

Seasonal succession of zooplankton in the north basin of Lake Biwa

To examine the seasonal succession of the entire zooplankton community in Lake Biwa, zooplankton biomass (on an areal basis) and its distribution patterns among crustaceans, rotifers and ciliates were studied in the north basin from April 1997 to June 1998. Seasonal changes in phytoplankton and population dynamics of Daphnia galeata were also examined to assess food condition and predation pressure by fish. From March to November, crustaceans dominated zooplankton biomass, but rotifers and ciliates were dominant from December to February. Among crustaceans, Eodiaptomus japonicus was the most abundant species, followed by D. galeata. Zooplankton biomass increased from January to a peak in early April, just before the spring bloom of phytoplankton, then decreased in mid-April when mortality rate of D. galeata increased. From mid-June, zooplankton increased and maintained a high level until the beginning of November. During this period, both birth and mortality rates of D. galeata were relatively high and a number of rotifer and crustacean species were observed. However, their abundances were very limited except for E. japonicus which likely preys on ciliates and rotifers. In Lake Biwa, food sources other than phytoplankton, such as resuspended organic matter from the sediments, seems to play a crucial role in zooplankton succession from winter to early spring, while zooplankton community seems to be regulated mainly by fish predation from summer to fall.     

Reproductive cycle and gonadal development of the Atlantic sea urchin Arbacia punctulata in the Gulf of Mexico: changes in nutritive phagocytes in relation to gametogenesis

ABSTRACT

The annual reproductive cycle comprises steady gametogenic activities that synchronize gonadal maturation and spawning rhythms, which are important for aquatic organisms including marine echinoderms (Echinodermata, Echinoidea). In this study, we report the annual reproductive cycle, gonadal development, and changes in nutritive phagocytes (NPs, which accumulate nutrients in germ cells) in relation to gametogenesis of the Atlantic sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata, an edible echinoid) in the Gulf of Mexico. Monthly changes in gonadal development and maturation were observed morphologically and histologically. We calculated gonadosomatic index (GSI) and compared the stages of gonadal development in order to determine the NPs index, and characteristics of germ cells (eggs and sperm) during the annual reproductive cycle. According to GSI and histological analyses, gametogenic activities were classified into four stages of both sexes: mature (June–August), spent (September–November), recovery (December–March), and growing (April–May). The GSI values in both sexes were high during summer months. In males, testicular lobules were densely packed with sperm from June to August. In females, however, mature eggs first appeared in some ovaries in May, numerically increased from June to July, and decreased in August. During gametogenesis, on the other hand, NPs in both testes and ovaries were depleted from June to August. Collectively, our results suggest that the Atlantic sea urchin spawns during summer months in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, on gonadal development and changes in NPs during the annual reproductive cycle of any Arbacia species in the Gulf of Mexico.     

New insights into patterns of coral spawning on Western Australian reefs

On reefs around Australia, coral mass spawning typically occurs during the austral spring (October/November) on the east coast, and during autumn (March/April) on the west coast. However, to investigate the incidence of a secondary spawning event in spring on the west coast, the reproductive state of corals was assessed on two reefs. The results indicated that of the 29 species of Acropora investigated, multiple colonies of 11 species spawned in late spring or in early summer, in contrast to previous reports of spawning during autumn. Additionally, of four species that were followed through time at one reef, two spawned in both spring and autumn, however, individual colonies had only one gametogenic cycle. Within a single site, conspecific colonies were reproductively isolated and may not interbreed, potentially representing the initial stage of sympatric speciation in these populations.     

Field and laboratory investigations of budding in the tetillid sponge Cinachyrella cavernosa

The budding process of the tetillid sponge Cinachyrella cavernosa was studied for one year in the low intertidal zone near Mhapan (15°55′27.48″N, 73°33′29.89″E), on the central west coast of India. The sponges showed the highest budding frequency when the average water temperature of intertidal rock pools was 32.4±0.23°C (February–March), followed by a significant decrease in budding frequency at 28.2±0.12°C (April–July), and no budding at ≤25.9±0.12°C (August–November). Stepwise multiple regression analysis of physico‐chemical factors revealed temperature as the most prominent factor regulating the intensity of budding. Based on size and morphology, three stages of sponge buds were defined. The production of buds was found to be asynchronous, as adult sponges possessed buds of all three stages. Differences among these stages were examined at ultrastructural (in terms of spicules) and molecular (in terms of RNA/DNA) levels. Stage I (<0.5 mm dia‐meter) buds showed a complete absence of microscleres (sigmaspires), whereas stage II (0.5–1 mm) and stage III (>1 mm) buds contained all spicules characteristic of the adult sponge. There was a significant increase in RNA/DNA ratio from stage I to III, suggestive of a progressive increase in physiological activity during the developmental process. Additionally, we studied post‐settlement bud growth under field and laboratory conditions. Newly settled buds displayed a lower average‐specific growth rate in the field, owing to variability in environmental conditions, but more rapid growth under controlled conditions in the laboratory. This study highlights the role of abiotic factors in regulating the budding process and stresses the ecological significance of budding in maintaining natural sponge populations. Our data suggest that an increased frequency of budding under stressful conditions, such as high temperature, is an advantageous adaptation for these sponges. Buds showed rapid development, as no metamorphosis is involved, and retained the genotype of the parents, yielding high reproductive outputs and survival rates.     

Growth and maturation of the 'autumn-fruiting type' of Sargassum horneri (Fucales, Phaeophyta) and comparisons with the 'spring-fruiting type'

The growth and maturation period of the autumn-fruiting population ot Sargassum horneri C. Agardh (Phaeophyta) was investigated in Hiroshima Bay, Seto Inland Sea. Surveyed traits were compared to those of the spring-fruiting type and ecological features of this species were discussed. The annual lifetime of the autumn-fruiting population could be divided into four phases according to the daily increase in thalius length:phase I from December to May (increase in length < 0.1 mm/ day), phase II from May to September (= 0.3–1.0 mm/ day), phase Ml (from September to December > 10 mm/day) and phase IV which was the senescence phase from December to March. Receptacle formation‘as observed in November and gamete release from November to February. Conversely, the spring-fruiting type germinated in April and exhibited swifter growth in its early stage of development than the autumn-fruiting type. Rapid increase in thalius iength in autumn was common in both fruiting types, although the spring-fruiting type continued to grow during winter. Receptacle formation of the spring-fruiting type started in February but gamete release was not observed until April and May. The difference in life-history patterns of both types of S. horneri was in the overwintering period. The autumn-fruiting type spent that season as germi-ings or as young plants exhibiting slow-paced growth, while the spring-fruiting type overvwintered as adult thal-li preparing for gamete release in spring.     

Reproductive cycle of the Azorean endemic land snail Oxychilus (Drouetia) brincki Riedel, 1964 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

The life history of Oxychilus (Drouetia) brincki (Riedel, 1964), an endemic species from Santa Maria island (Azores), is addressed here for the first time. One population was analyzed for 1 year, to study the reproductive cycle and to assess the validity of three morphometric parameters as maturation diagnostic characters. The positive correlation between morphometric parameters (maximum diameter and number of whorls) can be useful to define the reproductive maturation status particularly during the active reproductive season. Oxychilus brincki is reproductively active between May and October/November; the residual values of mature oocytes between February and April allow reproduction to occur throughout the year. Our observations on gonadal maturation show that there is a functional protandric tendency and that photoperiod probably triggers the maturation process, whereas temperature acts mainly as a regulatory factor. Contrary to other terrestrial pulmonate snails that have a well demarcated reproductive cycle, Azorean species are gametogenically active throughout almost all the year.     

Reproductive cycle of seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Crustacea,Penaeidea) from the northeast coast of Brazil

The reproductive cycle of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri north-eastern Brazil was described to contribute to the sustainable management of this stock in the region. Specimens were collected monthly from August 2011 to July 2012 using a local vessel of the artisanal fleet. A total of 1201 individuals were analyzed (673 females and 528 males) with a mean carapace length (CL) of 1.88 ± 0.16 cm and total length (TL) of 9.00 ± 1.22 cm. The lowest CL and TL of mature females were 1.33 and 6.5 cm, respectively, and all females above 2.44 cm (CL) and 11.5 cm (TL) were mature. Ovarian maturation was classified into four stages: I (immature), II (maturing), III (mature) and IV (spawned). Individuals of all maturational stages were present throughout the year. Considering the macro and microscopic analysis, it was suggested that this species in north-eastern Brazil has a continuous reproductive cycle, with two seasonal peaks, November/December and February (austral spring and summer). A positive correlation between the percentage of mature females and temperature was observed, and a higher percentage was reported in the warmer months of the year. This suggests that the reproductive peaks can be triggered by water temperature variation throughout the year.     

Phenology of woody species in tropical coastal vegetation, northeastern Brazil

The study was carried out in the Private Nature Reservation Nossa Senhora do Outeiro de Maracaípe, located along the southern coast of Pernambuco state, in the Nossa Senhora do Ó District (08°31′48″S and 35°01′05″W), Ipojuca municipality, northeastern Brazil. The reserve has 76.20 ha of tropical coastal vegetation (Restinga forest). The aims were to determine the existence of seasonal phenological pattern of woody species as a function of rainfall. During the study period, the rainfall was 26.8 mm in the driest month (November 2003) and 538.9 in the wettest (June 2004). Observations on flowering, fruiting, leaf fall, and leaf flushing were recorded monthly, during 16 months (April 2003 to July 2004). All species with a ground level perimeter >10 cm and represented by at least three individuals, were selected and tagged. A total of 51 species represented by 156 individuals were recorded. Leaf flushing and leaf fall did not have seasonal variation and the species continued to gain and loose leaves during the dry (August to February) and rainy (March to July) seasons. Flowering, when evaluated by the Fournier's percentage, varied between 1.9% and 20.2%, with maximum intensity in December 2003 (16.4%) and January 2004 (20.2%). Likewise, fruiting varied between 3.8% and 21.4% with the highest percentages in February (17.2%) and March (21.4%) 2004. The analysis comparing reproductive phenological patterns with monthly rainfall did not show a significant correlation, which may suggest investigations concerning other factors, including biotic ones, as pollination and/or dispersal modes, which can be influencing reproductive events of plants in the studied Restinga forest.     

Assessment of optimal depth and photon irradiance for cultivation of the brown alga, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum fulvellum</Emphasis> (Turner) C. Agardh

This study was aimed at determining the optimal depth and photon irradiance for growth of Sargassum fulvellum. Sampling and measurement of underwater irradiance were carried out at farms cultivating S. fulvellum at Wando, southwestern coast of Korea, from May 2004 to April 2005. Growth of thalli, underwater irradiance and photosynthetic quantum yield were measured over a range of depths for three culture stages. During their nursery cultivation stage (Stage I), length increase was greatest at 1.5 m depth (2.5 ± 0.2 cm), where the average midday irradiance over 28 days was 488 ± 58 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. During the pre-main cultivation stage (Stage II), the greatest length increase occurred at 1 m depth (10.9 ± 0.1 cm) with an average irradiance of 845 ± 169 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. For the main cultivation stage (Stage III) of the alga, thalli showed maximal length growth in March and early April at depths of 1–2 m and 3 m. These results suggest that growth at each cultivation stage of S. fulvellum could be controlled by depth of cultivation rope. Presented at the 6th Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society of Applied Phycology, Manila, Philippines.     

Relationship between Marteilioides chungmuensis infection and reproduction in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Marteilioides chungmuensis, a protozoan paramyxean parasite, infects the oocytes of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. The effects of infection on the reproductive cycle of C. gigas were investigated over two consecutive years at Okayama Prefecture, Japan. In male oysters, gonadal development began during February/March, maturity was achieved in June and spawning activity extended from July to September. In November and December, male oysters were not seen, probably because their gonads regressed to connective tissue and they transformed into undifferentiated oysters. By contrast, female oysters, in which parasite spore formation occurred, were still carrying oocytes until the following March and the spawning process of female oysters took 5 months longer than that of males in epizootic areas. The prevalence of M. chungmuensis infection increased from July to September, when most female oysters had their spawning period, and declined from October to the following April when oysters were at the spent stage. The prevalence of infection increased again in May of the following year and high prevalence was observed in the following July. When prevalence was compared between oysters of different age classes, higher prevalence was detected in older than in younger oysters. Histological examination showed that infected oysters produced oocytes continuously and spawned repeatedly from October to March, during which period healthy oysters were reproductively inactive. Parasites can infect the oocytes of infected oysters throughout the longer spawning period. These observations suggest that M. chungmuensis extends the reproductive period of infected oysters for its own reproductive benefit.