Seasonal analysis of condition, biochemical and bioenergetic indices of females of Brazilian flathead, Percophis brasiliensis

Abstract

Percophis brasiliensis is a demersal species that constitutes an important resource of Argentine coastal fisheries. Nevertheless, information about bioenergetic dynamic of reproduction has not been reported. Therefore, seasonal variations of condition factors, biochemical composition and energy density of different tissues were analyzed in order to determine the strategy of energy allocation during the reproductive cycle of this species. Condition indices (hepatosomatic and K) showed a seasonal pattern opposite to that observed for gonadosomatic index, which was characterized by higher values during the reproductive period (spring-summer), decreasing at the end of spawning. Biochemical composition of different tissues also showed a clearly seasonality associated to reproductive cycle. Analysis of energy density variation of liver indicates that P. brasiliensis accumulate reserves in winter before reproduction, which later decrease during the spawning season. In contrast, the energy density in muscle did not show significant differences among seasons, indicating that individuals could be also using an external source of energy during spawning. Therefore, it is possible that P. brasiliensis respond to an intermediate strategy of energy allocation, combining characteristics of both capital breeders (stores energy previous to the onset of reproductive activity) and income breeders (acquire energy by active feeding during spawning period).

Mobilization of energetic substrates in the endangered catfish Steindachneridion parahybae (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae): changes in annual reproductive cycle in captivity

“…The lipid content in ovaries, its positive correlation with the GSI, and histological findings (Honji, 2011) suggest the incorporation of this substrate in oocytes, through of vitellogenin or other lipoproteins of the yolk (Lubzens et al, 2010). Perca fluviatilis, a carnivorous fish (Blanchard et al, 2005) and Percophis brasiliensis, an omnivorous species (Rodrigues et al, 2013), importance of hepatic lipids in the process of vitellogenesis (Lubzens et al, 2010), this energetic substrate did not change in S. parahybae females during the reproductive cycle, as also observed in the HSI and muscle lipids. These data suggest that lipids from liver and muscle could be transferred to oocytes, but due to the constant feeding, the content of this energetic substrate is rapidly recovered as described in compensatory growth (Ali et al, 2003).…”

Assessing the role of host traits as drivers of the abundance of long‐lived parasites in fish‐stock assessment studies

“…Temporal variations in M can be also related to gonad development during the reproductive cycle (Schneider et al , ). Percophis brasiliensis is a multiple spawner with indeterminate annual fecundity that typically spawns from November to April (Militelli & Macchi, ) and their condition factor and hepato‐somatic and gonado‐somatic indices have been shown to vary seasonally in relation to energy allocation needs during the reproductive cycle (Rodrigues et al , ). As samples in the present study were caught during a period of 18 months, which includes different phases of the reproductive cycle, M resulted in a less reliable explanatory variable of parasite abundance than L T .…”

Reproductive biology of the white grunt, Haemulon plumierii, in the coastal waters of the northern Yucatán Peninsula

“…Regarding the condition (Kn and HSI) of H. plumierii, specimens showed a good condition for both sexes throughout most of the year, suggesting that they carry out simultaneous uptake of external energy (i.e., from food) at the time close to reproduction. This biological strategy, known as income breeding, allows the maintenance of constant energy levels in muscle tissue and biomass without compromising the energy reserves necessary for the regulation of metabolic processes, growth, and survival (Alonso-Fernández & Saborido-Rey, 2011;Chong & González, 1995;Rodrigues et al, 2013).…”