Reproductive investment in the Silurus meridionalis

A comparison of pre- and postspawning Silurus meridionalis showed that 20·7% of body stored energy was utilized during spawning for a standard male (74·5 cm) and 23·8% for a standard female (85·3 cm). About one-third of the loss of the stored energy was released as eggs by females, and almost all of the energy loss for males and about two-thirds for females were expended in metabolism. Stored lipid as fuel for metabolism supplied 90·0% of energy in males and 95·2% in females, and protein supplied the rest of the energy. Models for predicting energy in released gametes ( G _g), deposited in the body as somatic growth ( G _s), utilized in spawning activity ( S _a), expended in maintenance ( M , including metabolism, faeces and excretion), and food energy ( C ) were developed, and annual energy budgets were compiled. The balanced budget for a male aged 4 was: 100 C =0·06 G _g+11·17 S _a+19·5 G _s+69·2 M , and for a female aged 5: 100 C =5·48 G _g+8·51 S _a+15·8 G _s+70·2 M .     

Long-term study of the ecology of wild Atlantic salmon smolts in a small Norwegian river

Backcalculated lengths at the end of the first growth season in wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar differed significantly between parr smolting at age 1, 2 and 3 years over a period of 11 years (i.e. 1983–1993). Mean body lengths of the respective age groups at the end of the first growth period were 11·1, 6·2 and 4·7 cm, respectively. The mean percentage distribution of fish smolting at age 1, 2 and 3 was 14, 78 and 7%, and the mean smolt age was 1·95 years. Mean lengths at smolting of age groups 1, 2 and 3 were 13·6, 15·8 and 17·5 cm, respectively. Females outnumbered males among the downstream migrating smolts with a mean sex ratio (females/ males) estimated at 1·61, with a significant female surplus in 7 of the 11 years sampled. Of the smolts sampled, 14% exhibited enlarged gonads indicative of parr maturation, and all were males (37% of the parr males sampled). Mean annual smolt density from 1975 to 1996 was 13·4 individuals 100 m⁻² ranging between 0·3–31 smolts 100 m⁻². Mean densities (100 m⁻²) of the smolts aged 1, 2 and 3 years were 1·5, 9·3 and 0·9 fish, respectively. Mean annual biomass for the 22-year period (1975–1996) was estimated at 437 g 100 m⁻², with a range of variation from 136 to 683 g 100 m⁻². Smolt age 2 made up 81% of the mean annual biomass (355 g 100 m⁻²) and smolt age 1 and 3, 8% (35 g 100 m⁻²) and 11% (47 g 100 m⁻²), respectively.     

Analysis of the factors related with mate choice and reproductive success in male three-spined sticklebacks

Territorial three-spined sticklebacks moved 5·3 times as far as non-territorial males in 2 min ( P < 0·001) and spent 11·1 times longer in aggression in the pools ( P < 0·001). Territorial males had slightly higher condition factors than non-territorial males. Condition factor was correlated positively with the gonad mass ( P < 0·006), carotenoid concentration ( P < 0·006) and the activity of CS in the axial muscle ( P < 0·05) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in pectoral muscle ( P < 0·003). The male traits best correlated positively with female mate choice were courtship effort ( P < 0·001), coloration ( P < 0·003) and initial condition ( P < 0·025). Courtship behaviour was related to intestine mass ( P < 0·018), axial ( P < 0·028) and pectoral muscle citrate synthase (CS) activity ( P < 0·047); coloration was related to gonad mass ( P < 0·037). These muscle enzymes may be involved in ATP generation for sustained activities or in recuperation between bouts of burst activity. Females that choose to mate with assiduously courting males which bear higher CS levels may be choosing individuals that show honestly their good condition and capacity to accomplish reproductive tasks.     

Reproductive biology of gag in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Aspects of the reproductive biology of gag Mycteroperca microlepis in the southern Gulf of Mexico were studied by following seasonal variations in the gonado‐somatic index and through histological examination of gonads. Gag were collected from inshore and offshore waters of the Campeche Bank, Yucatan, Mexico, between April 1996 and December 2001. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, and appeared to be depth‐size distributed. The smallest gag (9–49 cm L _F) collected were all juvenile females, and were caught in inshore waters (1–10 m depth), while the largest (49–116 cm L _F), mainly adult females, males and transitionals, were captured in offshore waters (33–167 m depth). Overall the offshore male to female ratio was female‐biased (1 : 3·3) and differed significantly from unity. The species spawns at depths of c . 50–53 m, from early winter to mid‐spring, with peak spawning activity occurring between January and March. Fifty per cent of females reached first maturity at 72·1 cm L _F. At 103 cm L _F, 50% of sampled females had changed into males. Gag can be considered a monandric species, and sexual transition for this grouper seemed to occur in fish distributed within a narrow size range (85–111 cm L _F). The results are compared with those of other authors for gag stocks from the south‐east Atlantic coast of the U.S.A. and the north‐east Gulf of Mexico.     

Trophic ecology of Squatina guggenheim on the continental shelf off Uruguay and northern Argentina

A total of 1280 (670 females and 610 males) Squatina guggenheim , an angel shark endemic to the south-west Atlantic, was caught during five research cruises (1995, 1997 and 1998) carried out in the Argentine-Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ) at depths of 3·5–266 m. All angel sharks captured were sexed and measured. Of the 947 examined for stomach contents, 556 (58·7%) contained food and 391 (41·3%) were empty. Numerically, bony fishes were the principal dietary component (89·7%), followed by crustaceans (4·8%) and molluscs (4·4%). The most important prey species were Engraulis anchoita (58·3%), shrimps (4·4%) and Ilex argentinus (2·3%). Male and female diets were not found to differ significantly ( P  > 0·01), however, the diets of different size classes showed significant differences ( P  ≤ 0·01) (group 1, 23–44, group 2, 45–74 and group 3, 75–91 cm L _T). Low rates of cannibalism were observed. The spatial and seasonal variability in the trophodynamics of S. guggenheim is discussed.     

Contribution to the biology of the redbanded perch, Ellerkeldia huntii (Hector), with a discussion on hermaphroditism

The presence of oocytes in the testes of several males indicates that the redbanded perch Ellerkeldia huntii exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism. All males appear to be secondary in origin; however the structure of the testes differ from most other protogynous serranids. In samples collected from the Poor Knights Is., New Zealand, males outnumbered females 2.7: 1 ( n = 52). The numbers in each sex were equal until a length of 100–110 mm, after which the male proportion increased to 100%. The oldest female was aged 2+ years, whereas males were found as old as 5+ years. There were no colour differences associated with sex. The mean testes weight was only 7% of the mean ovary weight. Both sexes grew at the same rate. Observations during December indicated that although many individuals were solitary, some were paired. The larger individuals of pairs were males, the smaller females. Individuals foraged in the algal canopy on gammarid amphipods and mysid shrimps. The average range of movements was only 2·2 m².     

Mediterranean Fruit Fly leks: factors affecting male location

1. The mating system of Mediterranean Fruit Flies ( Ceratitis capitata , Diptera: Tephritidae) is based on male leks which form within the canopies of certain trees. In this study the following hypotheses are tested: (a) fly location depends on microclimate and illumination and (b) larger and heavier males occupy preferred locations in leks. Accordingly, systematic quantitative observations of diel three-dimensional (3-D) locations of lekking C. capitata males were performed in field and field cage studies.
2. Fly locations were found to vary significantly during the activity hours.
3. Medflies were generally found calling from highest and most exterior locations during early morning and late afternoon hours. During the hottest hours (1200–1500) flies occupied lower locations within the tree canopy, and interior locations from 1000 to 1500.
4. Fly location (from 1000 to 1700) was correlated with the azimuth of the sun. However, the mean azimuth range of fly location was limited to 85° (59·45°–143·94°).
5. Both in the field and in the field cage the temperature, relative humidity and light intensity beneath the leaves on which the males perched were closer to the microclimate beneath fully shaded leaves than to microclimates beneath leaves exposed to direct sunlight.
6. It is concluded that male medflies occupy locations which confer suitable microclimates for calling and copulating, and suitable 3-D locations within the canopy which provide protection from predators, wind, direct sunlight and water loss.     

Survival, growth and sex ratios of gynogenetic diploid honmoroko

Survival, growth and sex ratios of gynogenetic diploid honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens induced by blocking the release of the second polar body were examined. Mean survival of gynogenetic juveniles at 130 days after hatching was about 33% lower than that of the controls. No significant difference was seen in early growth between control and gynogenetic diploids. Standard length and body weight in six groups of gynogenetic progeny were significantly greater but in two groups were significantly smaller than in the controls. Although 69% of gynogenetic diploids had well-developed gonads, the remaining 30% had undeveloped gonads (small in size or thread-like), and those gonads were divided into four types. The mean proportion of females in the 10 gynogenetic groups was 87·2% which was significantly ( P <0·01) higher than in the controls (44·7%). Gynogenetic diploids included 3·0–35·3% males. Most of those males produced a high proportion of female progeny, but the proportion of male offspring varied widely. From these results, the sex determining mechanism in honmoroko was presumed to be female homogamety, but other factors resulted in the production of males.     

Lion density and population structure in the Selous Game Reserve: evaluation of hunting quotas and offtake

In 1992, tourist hunting in the Selous Game Reserve generated 1.28 million dollars for the Tanzanian government, of which 0·96 million dollars were returned to wildlife conservation. Lions ( Panthera leo ) are one of three critical species for tourist hunting, consistently generating 12%–13% of hunting revenue from 1988 to 1992. Because of their ecological and economic importance (and intrinsic value), it is important that lion quotas be set so that offtake is sustainable. The population density of lions in Selous ranges from 0·08 to 0·13 adults km⁻², comparable to unhunted ecosystems. The adult sex ratio (36–41% male) and the ratio of cubs to adults (29% cubs) are similar to those of unhunted populations. The ratio of lions to hyaenas is lower in heavily hunted areas (0·17 lions/hyena) than in unhunted areas (0·43 lions/hyena). Hunting levels between 1989 and 1994 took 2·7–4·3% of adult males annually, which is sustainable. The current quota is 10–16% of the adult male population, which exceeds natural mortality rates for male lions. To remain stable if the quota was filled, the population would have to compensate via increased fecundity, increased juvenile survival, or an altered sex‐ratio. Compensation occurs in Selous by producing (or raising) more male than female cubs (66–81% of juveniles are male). Only 28% of the Selous quota was filled in 1992. The percentage of quota filled (both in Selous and nationwide) has dropped since 1988 as quotas have increased. The current intensity of lion hunting in Selous is sustainable, but the quota cannot be filled sustainably.     

Observations on mass atresia and skipped spawning in northern Atlantic cod, from Smith Sound, Newfoundland

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua were collected from Smith Sound, Newfoundland in January 1999. Visual examination of females (n=150) and males (n=126) revealed that some large fish (42–79 cm) had underdeveloped gonads. Histological examination of underdeveloped ovaries indicated that the majority of these females were undergoing mass resorption of oocytes and would not have spawned in 1999. Fish in this condition included females that were aborting their first attempt at maturation and females that had spawned the previous year but were failing to re-ripen. Somatic and liver condition were significantly lower (P<0·05) for fish undergoing mass oocyte resorption than ripening females, suggesting that the interruption in the maturation cycle may have been related to insufficient nutrient storage. In males, testes of some adult fish were considered to be non-reproductive as they showed no signs of ripening and probably would not have spawned in 1999. Liver condition was significantly higher (P<0·05) for non-reproductive males than those that were ripening. Disruptions in male and female reproductive cycles may also have been related to water temperatures that were too cold (0–0·5° C) for successful gamete development. Immature gametes (perinucleolar oocytes in females; spermatogonia in males) showed no signs of breakdown in non-reproductive individuals, suggesting that they retained the potential to develop and spawn gametes in 2000.     

Winter behaviour of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in experimental stream channels: effect of substratum size and full ice cover on spatial distribution and activity pattern

Activity and choice of areas offering different cover (substratum or surface ice) for juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were studied in experimental stream channels during winter. Channels were completely ice covered between December and March. During this period, the ice thickness increased from 50 to 300 mm after which 50% of the ice was experimentally removed and followed by c. 2·5-fold increase in discharge to simulate the effects of spring flood. Large substrata provided preferred habitats but areas with small substratum sizes were also used when full surface ice provided above-stream cover and the stream discharge was relatively low. The fish remained nocturnal throughout the study but the level of day activity significantly increased as the surface ice became thicker. Maximum movement distance during a 24 h period and homing-at-dawn behaviour remained at a constant level throughout the main winter, but significantly changed during the simulated spring flood (mean ± s . e . maximum extent of movements within 24 h increased from 1·1 ± 0·1 to 3·0 ± 0·5 m; homing behaviour decreased from the highest level of 89·3 to 34·6% during spring flood). Overwinter survival was high (92·9%). Relative mass increase during the study ranged from –8·3 to 28·5%, and 84% of the juvenile Atlantic salmon gained mass. The highest rates of mass increase were associated with frequent movements between areas of different substratum size. The results indicate that during winter: (1) Atlantic salmon parr preferred large substratum cover compared with surface ice cover at the fish densities studied here, (2) juvenile Atlantic salmon were predominantly nocturnal but diurnal activity increased as surface ice became thicker and (3) increase in water discharge during spring altered the behaviour of juvenile Atlantic salmon and may have caused additional habitat shifts.     

Population structure, growth and reproduction of roughhead grenadier on the Flemish Cap and Flemish Pass

Roughhead grenadier Macrourus berglax were collected during the Flemish Cap bottom survey (1991–2001, NAFO division 3M, depth of 200–720 m) and on commercial vessels (1998–2000, NAFO divisions 3L, M and N, depth of 700–1700 m). The abundance of roughhead grenadier, as well as their average size, increased with depth. Age and length composition of the catches showed clear differences between the sexes. The proportion of males in the catch declined in the larger length classes and there were no males in the largest length classes (25 cm). There were differences in the growth trajectories of the two sexes; both sexes grew similarly up to 9 years, but the male growth was slower thereafter. The pre-anal fin length at first maturity ( L _PA50) for roughhead grenadier females was 28·5 cm, whilst the age at 50% maturity was 15–16 years. Individual total fecundity varied between 8522 and 61 844 oocytes. Macrourus berglax had a prolonged life cycle and multi-aged population structure, with differences in growth and mortality between males and females, slow maturation and low fecundity.     

Female mate choice and spawning behaviour of Chinook salmon under experimental conditions

After spawning their first nest, female chinock salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha paired with small males ( c. 46% of female weight) spent an average of 16·2 h between spawning of successive nests compared with 9·6 h for females paired with large males ( c. 112% of female weight) ( P< 0·05). Neither frequencies of female nest construction behaviours (digging and probing) nor male courtship behaviour (crossovers and quivers) differed between large- and small-male pairs. Male quivering frequencies were correlated significantly with female digging and probing frequencies, whereas the crossover frequencies were not. It is suggested that delayed spawning by females in the presence of relatively small males is a primary mechanism by which females in the genus Oncorhynchus exhibit mate choice.     

Effects of diet supplementation with carp ovary on gonad differentiation and growth of the European eel

Treating elvers of European eel Anguilla anguilla with mature carp ovary for 3–6 months during early growth induced female differentiation in 51·6–66·7% of treated animals compared with c . 5% in controls. The treatment also induced differentiation of ovaries in eels <13 cm L _T and a higher number of Syrski organs with ambisexual characters, and was most effective when administered at an early growth stage. The results could be attributed to the natural steroid content of the carp ovary. The total weight of treated animals at the end of the farm experiment was 84·7% higher than controls. The specific growth rate for weight was significantly higher in female yellow eels than in males, for both control and treated groups. The enhanced growth was related to induced feminization. A diet supplementation with mature carp ovary could be a good approach to control of sex differentiation and growth in eels.     

Scent of a Woman – The Effect of Female Presence on Sexual Cannibalism in an Orb-Weaving Spider (Araneae: Araneidae)

Post-mating sexual cannibalism occurs as a regular element of mating behaviour in a number of spider species. Frequencies of cannibalism, however, are highly variable between and within species. In Argiope bruennichi , males apparently differ in their motivation to escape a female attack but causes for this variability are unknown. We observed that the probability of sexual cannibalism is positively correlated with male age, i.e. the number of days that passed between male maturation and copulation. The mating season in this species is short with 3–4 wk and males mostly mature days before the females, whose maturation phase is longer. Consequently, as the season progresses, the availability of virgin females increases, quickly reaches a peak and then rapidly declines. In addition, the age of still unmated males increases with the season and both of these factors can potentially affect the degree of sexual cannibalism. To separate these factors, males were collected in their penultimate stage and kept until mating either with or without contact to female pheromones. Thereby, we experimentally manipulated the male's perception of female presence. Within each treatment, we formed three male age groups: (1) 2–6 d, (2) 12–16 d and (3) 22–28 d. Our results demonstrate that the probability of cannibalism was independent of male age but was explained by the treatment of males: males exposed to virgin female pheromones were significantly more likely to be cannibalised than males that were kept without female pheromones. This suggests that males change their reproductive strategy according to perceived mating prospects.     

Effects of age and body size on gonadal development of Atlantic sturgeon

Three hundred and five Atlantic sturgeon caught in the Hudson River and Hudson Bight were examined for age, body size and gonadal development (histology). Sampled fish ranged in age from 1·5 to 43 years and fork length (LF) 48–244 cm, and included 144 females and 161 males. All young sturgeon (age 1·5–4 years) caught in the river had sexually differentiated gonads. Age and size distributions of subadults and adults at different stages of gametogenesis were sex-specific and conformed with von Bertalanffy growth curves. Males mature faster and at a younger age compared to the females. Females with mid-vitellogenic ovaries were not found and their absence may be related to fishing gear selectivity or out-migration into the ocean during ovarian recrudescence. Mature males and females caught during the spring spawning migration into the Hudson River, ranged in age from 12 to 19 and from 14 to 43 years, and LF 117–185 and 173–244 cm, respectively. Individual fecundity and diameter of fully grown ovarian follicles increased with age and body size, but this increase was dampened in older females. Three hermaphroditic fish were found and all exhibited sparse pre-vitellogenic ovarian follicles embedded in normally developing testicular tissue.     

Annual cycle of a coypu (myocastor coypus) population: male and female strategies

Male and female strategies were compared for wild–living populations of coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina) censused during two years in marshlands of central–west France. In a habitat composed of a canal network bisecting pasture fields typically 0–5 ha in size, coypu movements were largely restricted to stretches of open water, though males explored further from water than females. Adults occupied home ranges with a mean size of 3–82 ha or 1. 19 km of canal, males on average moving faster over a larger area and using a greater length of canal than females. Movements within partially shared ranges were most positively coordinated between male–female pairs, while male–male interactions were less frequent. Juvenile coypus were largely absent from the late winter population. Synchronization of litters in March–April resulted in a peak of juveniles in early summer. The sex ratio of juveniles and sub–adults reversed from a male bias in summer to a female bias in autumn. Population densities peaked in November at 4 ha, with a significant female bias (1M: 1–6F). In the same month, a neighbouring population at lower density (1 ha^-l after treatment with rodenticide) was significantly male biased (2–7M:lF) and may therefore have been acting as a sink for males dispersing from the high density population. Transients comprised 63% of the population. Females were resident longer than males, 22% of females remaining at least 5 months against 6% of males. Dispersal was recorded only for males aged 6 months or older. The general result, of exploratory behaviour amongst males contrasting with the establishment of longer term home ranges by females, is discussed in terms of male reproductive success and the capacity for females to influence nutrient supply to their litters.     

Reproductive biology of the endangered Oxleyan pygmy perch Nannoperca oxleyana Whitley

The reproductive biology of the Oxleyan pygmy perch Nannoperca oxleyana is described from simultaneous studies of wild populations in north-eastern New South Wales and mature fish held in aquaria. In the wild, 50% of males and females matured at total lengths of 24·0–25·9 and 28·0–29·9 mm, respectively. The species displays sexual dichromatism during the spawning season, with males developing more intense red and brown fin and body colouration, and black pelvic fins. Captive male broodfish displayed territoriality during the breeding season, closely guarding sites within artificial, plant-like substrata in which pairs of fish spawned adhesive eggs. Protracted serial spawning of wild and captive fish occurred from September to April and May at mean water temperatures ≥16·6° C and day length ≥10·7 h. Captive broodfish spawned on an average of 57% of days during the 256 day spawning period. Gonado-somatic indices averaged 0·7% for all ripe males and 4·1–4·2% for all ripe females collected. Mean total and batch fecundities of captive females were 1323 eggs per fish and 7·8 eggs per fish per day, respectively, and relative fecundity was 587 eggs g⁻¹ of body mass. Batch fecundity of wild females was estimated at 7·8 eggs per fish. The adaptive significance of this reproductive strategy in a harsh, variable environment is discussed.     

Age estimation, growth, maturity and distribution of the roundnose grenadier from the Rockall trough

This paper summarizes the history of commercial exploitation of roundnose grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris in the North Atlantic. Length frequencies of C. rupestris in 1993, from 400 to 1200 m on the slopes of the Rockall trough indicate a reduction since the 1970s in the modal length of fish found at 700–1000 m. Ages ranged from 2 to 50 years for males and 2 to 60 years for females, with most between 10–38 years. Females attained a greater asymptotic pre-anus length ( L _∞=19.5 cm) than males ( L _∞=15.5 cm) and had a greater weight for a given age (male W _∞=761g, female W _∞=1132g). This species may have a protracted spawning period. Using pre-anus lengths, 50% of male fish were mature at 10 cm (ages 8–10) while 50% of female fish were mature at 12 cm (ages 9–11). At the greatest depths sampled the length frequency of fish was bimodal with a hiatus between 9 and 11 cm (ages 8–12). Highest catch rates occurred on the Donegal slope in September at a depth of 800–1000 m.     

Distribution and reproduction of the southern lantern shark from New Zealand

Distribution, population structure and reproduction are described for the southern lantern shark Etmopterus granulosus at the Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Depth of capture for E. granulosus ranged from 744 to 1420 m, with highest catch rates between 800–1200 m. More than twice as many females as males were captured, and the majority of sharks caught were mature, indicating that there may be segregation according to sex and size class. Only 10 of 492 female sharks captured contained ova in uteri, and none contained embryos. The absence of pregnant females suggests that they move to another area or depth prior to pupping. Size of sharks captured ranged from 20·0 to 78·8 cm total length. Females began to mature at 62 cm total length, and males at 52 cm. There was no evidence of a seasonal reproductive cycle. Ovulation appeared to occur when ova reached a diameter of 40–45 mm. The average number of ova in mature females was 12·7. This information is crucial for assessing the impact of fisheries on E. granulosus populations.