scholarly journals Reproductive biology of the peacock bass Cichla piquiti (Perciformes: Cichlidae), an exotic species in a Neotropical reservoir

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto B. C. Vieira ◽  
Luiz F. Salvador-Jr. ◽  
Rafael M. C. Melo ◽  
Gilmar B. Santos ◽  
Nilo Bazzoli

To analyze the reproductive biology of the peacock bass Cichla piquiti, 361 specimens were collected bimonthly in the Itumbiara Reservoir, southeast Brazil, from December 2004 to November 2005. Males and females in reproductive activity occurred during almost the entire year, with reproductive peak occurring before the beginning of the rains when the water temperature remained low, indicating that these environmental variables do not directly influence in the reproduction of C. piquiti. The long reproductive period, partially spent ovaries contained postovulatory follicles and oocytes in all developmental stages, indicate asynchronous development of oocytes and multiple spawning. The mean total lengthand body weigth were, respectively, 38.2 ± 7 cm and 965.0 ± 654.0 g for males and 37.4 ± 6.1 cm and 899.0 ± 495.0 g for females, statistically showing no sexual dimorphism in size. The smallest male and female found in advanced maturation stage measured 31.0 cm and 29.0 cm of total length, respectively. The body condition (K) of males and females did not present significant differences during the reproductive cycle and the slope (b) of the length-weight relationship was 3.22, suggesting that reproduction and the annual hydrology cycle do not interfere in the health condition. Cichla piquiti is an exotic piscivore fish that is well adapted to this Neotropical reservoir, which exhibits environmental conditions considerably different from its original habitat. This study indicates that the species presents plasticity in reproduction and in allocation of resources, probably due the aseasonality of the reservoir and the exploitation of native species.

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Marques ◽  
Lígia Pizzatto

AbstractThe reproductive biology of the false coral snake, Oxyrhopus guibei, was studied through dissection of 496 specimens, combined with observations on captive individuals. Males mature with smaller body size than females, females attain much larger body size, and male-male combat is not expected. Clutch size ranged from 3 to 20, and was correlated with female length. Reproductive cycles in both males and females seem to be continuous, with vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurring throughout the year. Reproductive activity in both sexes decreased at the end of the rainy season possibly due to previous intense reproductive activity in more favorable climatic conditions. The smaller number of individuals collected at the end of the rainy season apparently occurs due to the decrease of reproductive activity of this snake.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Azevedo ◽  
Luiz R. Malabarba ◽  
John R. Burns

The reproductive biology and development of the gill gland are described for Macropsobrycon uruguayanae, an inseminating characid species of the tribe Compsurini, subfamily Cheirodontinae. Between April 2001 and March 2002, 117 males and 143 females of this species were collected in the rio Ibicuí, Uruguay basin in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Reproductively active individuals were present during most months sampled, indicating lack of a well-defined seasonal reproductive period. Several maturing females were found to be inseminated before completing full maturation. Histological analyses demonstrated spermatozoa within the ovaries of females in different stages of gonadal maturation collected during most months. No immature females had inseminated ovaries. Standard length at first gonadal maturation was estimated to be 24 mm for both males and females. Mean absolute fecundity was 191.08 (± 48.83 SD) oocytes per female, one of the lowest among characids. Relative fecundity was 0.539 (± 0.069 SD) oocytes per mg weight of the female, a value similar to that found for the majority of species of Cheirodontinae. The presence of two cohorts of oocytes within ovaries of M. uruguayanae indicates synchronous development, with total spawning. The mean diameter of mature oocytes was 0.6711 (± 0.1252 SD) mm, smaller than that found for the majority of species of Characidae. Gill glands occurred in all mature males, as well as in males undergoing advanced maturation. In the latter case, fewer gill filaments comprised the glands. Gill glands were not observed in immature males, males undergoing the initial stages of maturation, or in any female. A given gill gland may comprise as many as 24 filaments of the lateral hemibranch of the first gill arch. Secondary lamellae within most of the gill gland are greatly reduced, with columnar cells being present between them. These columnar cells contain abundant vesicles, suggesting secretory activity. The morphology of the gill gland of M. uruguayanae resembles that found in the majority of characid species that possess this structure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José L. Gómez-Márquez ◽  
Bertha Peña-Mendoza ◽  
José L. Guzmán-Santiago

ABSTRACT Poecilia sphenops is a native species recently recorded in the Balsas basin and the Amacuzac River in Morelos (Mexico), in which it is abundant and widely distributed. This study analyzed some aspects of the reproductive biology of Poecilia sphenops from the Emiliano Zapata Reservoir, in Central Mexico. Specimens were collected using a 20 m-long seine with a 5 mm mesh size, from January to December 2006. A total of 581 specimens were collected: 407 females (70.0%), 83 males (14.3%) and 91 individuals with no differentiated sex (15.7%). Fish ranged from 20 to 96 mm in total length and 0.01 to 13.07 g in body weight. The female to male sex ratio (4.9:1) deviated significantly from the unity (χ2= 214.2, p<0.05). Monthly variations in gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indexes and ovarian development stages showed that P. sphenops spawning season occurred between July and October, concurring with the rainy season. Another reproduction peak was registered in February. The largest length registered for males and females was 96 mm and 83 mm, respectively.


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
SH Abdel-Aziz

Solea aegyptiaca in Abu-Kir Bay becomes mature at 18 and 20 cm total length for males and females respectively and within two years of age for both sexes. Spawning occurs in winter (December-February). The sizefrequency distribution of oocytes more than 100 pm in diameter indicates that S. aegyptiaca is a determinate spawner and that an annual potential fecundity can be measured. Low gonadosomatic index and low potential fecundity, low condition factor (K), and histological anomalies of the ovaries of some mature females have been observed during the reproductive period. The presence of pollutants in Abu-Kir Bay sediments resulting from industrial wastes and untreated sewage may be responsible for this alteration in oogenesis and the consequent drop in fecundity.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Bessa ◽  
June Ferraz Dias ◽  
Ana Maria de Souza

This study presents data on the reproduction of Abudefduf saxatilis, a rocky shore inhabitant at the northern coast of São Paulo State. A total of 73 individuals were collected using hooks and baits. They were measured, weighed and dissected, sex and maturation stage were analysed, first macroscopically, then part of the material was taken for microscopical confirmation. Visual censuses were also done for underwater observation of egg's presence. Results showed equivalence of males and females in the population, first maturation occurring between 101 and 115mm of total length, spawning period occurs from November to February for Abudefduf saxatilis and October to January for Stegastes variabilis. Reproductive period for A. saxatilis was positively related to air temperature and thermic amplitude, but the environmental clue most likely to influence this rhythm is photoperiod. Transects with visual census of males guarding eggs were also a reliable tool for finding reproductive period in these demersal, egg-guarder species.


Author(s):  
M. Calvo ◽  
J. Templado ◽  
P.E. Penchaszadeh

The reproductive biology of the gregarious Mediterranean vermetid gastropod Dendropoma petraeum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) has been studied in the south-eastern coast of Spain. It apparently is a gonochorisric species with the sex ratio biased toward females (71%). A broad peak of more intense reproductive activity occurs in spring months and an inactive reproductive period during winter. The gonad of the males develops about two months before those of females, and storage of sperm by females has been observed. Internal fertilization takes place after the capture of pelagic spermatophores.The egg capsules lie free within the female mantle cavity, and females brood up to 86 capsules simultaneously (the highest number reported for any vermetid gastropod). The size of the capsules is somewhat variable and increases slightly from those containing first stages of development (mean = 678×579 μm) to those containing late stages (mean = 996×693 μm). Each egg capsule usually contains a single large egg or embryo, but sometimes two (8.2% of the capsules) or rarely three (0.24%). Production of egg capsules by females seems to be continuous throughout the reproductive period (from March to October).The unsegmented eggs measure from 440 to 507 μm in diameter (mean = 482) and are the largest reported for any vermetid gastropod. Nurse eggs are not present, and therefore most of the intracapsular nutrition comes from the internal yolk of the embryo.Development is lecithotrophic without a pelagic larval phase. The late intracapsular veliger stage metamorphoses within the capsule and hatching occurs at a crawling juvenile stage.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Zina ◽  
Célio F. B. Haddad

Vocalizations and reproductive activity of two Leptodactylus labyrinthicus populations were studied from Jun/2001 to Feb/2003 in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Observations began at dusk and ended around 2300 h. Occasionally individuals were monitored throughout the night. Data on reproductive period, calling sites, adult snout-vent length (SVL), oviposition sites, and oviposition period was collected. Leptodactylus labyrinthicus had an extended breeding period associated mainly with rainfall. Males called from the edge of temporary or permanent ponds, began vocalization activity at dusk, and finished around 2300 or 2400h. During the peak of the vocalization period (Dec- Jan), calling activity could extend up to 0400 or 0500h. Three types of vocalizations associated with reproduction were recorded: advertisement call, territorial call, and courtship call. The advertisement call was the most common vocalization. Males and females showed no sexual dimorphism in SVL. However, the males of one population were significantly larger than those of the other population studied. This fact could be explained by frog-hunting in one of the areas, which could wipe out the larger males of the population. Foam nests were recorded mainly in Oct-Nov 2001/2002 in depressions at the edge of temporary ponds, always protected by vegetation. A mean of 6.5% of the eggs present in the foam were fertilized and the other 93.5% possibly are used as a food source by the tadpoles. Mean diameter of the foam nest was 25.4 cm and mean height was 11.4 cm.


1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Kaur ◽  
SS Guraya

A study has been made of seasonal changes in the body weights of males and females, and of ovarian and uterine weights, in the Indian mole rat, Bandicota bengalensis, between July 1976 and June 1978, from areas surrounding Ludhiana (30�56'N.,75�52'E.). An attempt has been made to correlate them and peaks in reproductive activity with environmental factors such as daylength, temperature, rainfall and availability of food. During both years of study, the percentage of males was 45.2. The body, ovary and uterus were lighter during winter, and then gained weight, with peaks during April and August-September. Males were generally heavier than females. On the whole, 34.7% of females were either pregnant or lactating. The breeding season extended from mid-February to mid-October. Two peaks in breeding activity (April and August-September), with a decline during June, were separated by a period of reproductive inactivity from November to mid-February. The average litter size was 8.88 (range 5-13). Embryos occurred with almost the same frequency in the left and right uterine horns. The pre-implantation mortality was 9.6% and post-implantation mortality 4.8%; thus the total prenatal mortality was 13.7%. The percentage of embryos found resorbing was 4.1. The results have been discussed in the light of the literature on the reproductive biology of rodents in this region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irayana Fernanda da Silva Carvalho ◽  
Lorrane Gabrielle Cantanhêde ◽  
Ana Luiza Caldas Diniz ◽  
Raimunda Nonata Fortes Carvalho-Neta ◽  
Zafira da Silva de Almeida

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the parameters of the reproductive biology of seven commercial species at the Ramsar Site of the Baixada Maranhense to support fisheries management measures. The collections were carried out between 2012 and 2016. The reproductive period, sex ratio, weight-length relationship and first sexual maturity were evaluated for seven species of commercial importance. The sex ratio showed that females are predominant for all species, except for Plagioscion squamossissimus. The weight-length relationship indicated a greater investment in weight for Cichla monoculus and Hassar affinis, and a greater investment in length for Hoplias malabaricus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Prochilodus lacustris, Pygocentrus nattereri, and Schizodon dissimilis. The reproductive activity of the species was predominant in the rainy season, but C. monoculus, H. malabaricus and P. lacustris showed the ability to reproduce in both seasons. As management measures for the region, it is suggested a change in the closed fishing season established by IBAMA, from December 1 to April 30, to ensure the protection of all commercial species in this study.


2003 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F.G. Brito ◽  
N. Bazzoli

The reproductive biology of the surubim, P. coruscans of the São Francisco River, in the Pirapora region was studied from December/98 to November/99. Reproduction occurred between October and January with high frequency of fishes in the advanced ripening/mature and spawned/spent stages along with higher values of the gonadosomatic index. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses indicated that P. coruscans presents total spawning. The reproductive period coincided with highest rainfall and water turbidity values in the region. The smallest male captured had a total length of 63.3cm and the smallest female 92.0cm in total length. The largest male in the maturation stage was recorded to be 97.0cm and the largest female 144.1cm in total length. Surubim were more frequently captured than females, at a proportion of approximately one female to three males. The gonadosomatic, hepatosomatic, stomach repletion, and coelomic fat indexes, as well as the condition factor were related to stages of the reproductive cycle.


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