Reproductive biology of Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Ceará state, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The Haemulon plumieri is a typical reef-associated and tropical species found in warm and temperate waters of the Western Atlantic. Due to the large fishing effort directed to H. plumieri, the knowledge about its reproductive biology is essential for correct stock management and conservation. The aim of this study was to characterise reproductive biology with a focus on its seasonal variation of gonadal maturation stages, first maturation size and fecundity. Specimens were monthly collected and a total of 119 females and 136 males were analysed. The reproductive cycle of Haemulon plumieri is seasonal, with higher activity between March and May. Size at first maturity (L 50 ) was estimated at 16.86 and 18.55 cm for females and males, respectively. The total fecundity ranged between 17,816 and 120,333 mature oocytes per female and relative fecundity was 235 ± 63 oocyte.g -1 whereas batch fecundity varied between 20 and 25% from total fecundity. Since the species is widely caught, we suggest a closed season from March to May and to establish a minimum catch size of 18.5 cm for both sexes, since there is no evident sexual dimorphism.Keywords: reproduction, fecundity, reef fish. Biologia reprodutiva de Haemulon plumieri (Teleostei: Haemulidae) no Nordeste do Brasil ResumoO Haemulon plumieri é uma espécie tropical, associada aos recifes, encontrada em águas quentes e temperadas do Atlântico Oeste. Em razão do grande esforço de pesca direcionado para a captura desta espécie, o conhecimento acerca da biologia reprodutiva é essencial para um correto manejo e a sua preservação. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar a biologia reprodutiva com um foco na variação sazonal dos estágios de maturação, no tamanho de primeira maturação e na fecundidade. Espécimens foram mensalmente coletados e um total de 119 fêmeas e 136 machos foi analisado. O ciclo reprodutivo de Haemulon plumieri é sazonal, com maior atividade entre os meses de março e maio. O tamanho de primeira maturação (L 50 ) foi estimado em 16,86 cm para as fêmeas e 18,55 cm para os machos. A fecundidade total variou de 17.816 a 120.333 oócitos maturos por fêmeas e a fecundidade relativa foi 235 ± 63 oócitos.g -1 , enquanto que a fecundidade parcial variou entre 20 e 25% da fecundidade total. Uma vez que a espécie é amplamente capturada, sugere-se que seja definido um período de defeso de março a maio e que se estabeleça um tamanho mínimo de captura de 18,5 cm, para ambos os sexos, já que não há dimorfismo sexual evidente.Palavras-chave: reprodução, fecundidade, peixe recifal.

Reproductive biology of Haemulon plumierii in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean's most extensive reefs: implications for fisheries management

“…The present L 50 values are higher than to those reported by Alves & Aragão () and Shinozaki‐Mendes et al . () from northern Brazil, but lower than those reported by Palazón‐Fernández () from Venezuela. Such variability is not readily associated with any discernible geographic or temporal trends, but L 50 may be associated with environmental drivers ( e .…”

“…L 50 values from published data are shown for comparison: , Alves & Aragão (); , Palazón‐Fernández (); , Shinozaki‐Mendes et al . ().…”

“…The overall sex ratio observed in the Abrolhos Bank, close to 1:1, was also found in other populations of H . plumierii , both in the south‐western (Araújo & Martins, ; Shinozaki‐Mendes et al ., ) and north‐western Atlantic Ocean (Palazón‐Fernández, ). β ‐Binomial modelling of sex‐ratio data showed a lower proportion of females in recent studies (Murie & Parkyn, ; Shinozaki‐Mendes et al ., ), including present observations (Fig.…”

“…plumierii is reproductively active year‐round, with increased activity during the austral spring and summer, similar to the observations of Alves & Aragão () and Shinozaki‐Mendes et al . () in northern Brazil. In the northern hemisphere, Silva & Murphy () also observed reproductive activity of H .…”

“…Conversely, there are no specific management measures for H . plumierii in the South Atlantic Ocean and reproductive data from this entire region is restricted to two studies carried out in Ceará State, on the northern Brazilian coast (Alves & Aragão, ; Shinozaki‐Mendes et al ., ). Reproductive data ( e .…”