Early development and larval behaviour of two clingfishes, Lepadogaster purpurea and Lepadogaster lepadogaster (Pisces: Gobiesocidae)

Abstract

The recent revision on the taxonomic status of Lepadogaster lepadogaster resulted in the division of this species into L. lepadogaster and L. purpurea, the clarification of each species' distribution ranges and the elimination of L. zebrina (now in synonymy with L. lepadogaster). This new taxonomic status led to the need of clarifying the early development of the two species. Embryonic development lasted 21 days in L. purpurea at a mean temperature of 14.2°C, and 16 days in L. lepadogaster at a mean temperature of 16.5°C. Newly hatched larvae of both species measured 5.2 mm, had the mouth and anus opened, pigmented eyes and almost no yolk. At hatching and throughout development the two species can be distinguished by the ventral pigmentation which is absent in L. purpurea. The change to a benthic mode of life was gradual in both species, with larvae increasingly spending more time close to the bottom until definitely settling. Larval development lasted 33 days in L. purpurea at a mean temperature of 14.6°C and 18 days in L. lepadogaster at a mean temperature of 16.5°C. Locomotion and foraging behaviours are described for both species. L. lepadogaster showed a higher frequency of swimming and foraging behaviour when compared with L. purpurea.

High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions

“…Egg clutches attached to rocks can contain 60 to 265 eggs [41]. Males aerate and rub the eggs until hatching [35]. L .…”

“…L . lepadogaster has an embryonic development of 16 days and hatches well-developed larvae with an open mouth and anus, fully pigmented eyes and with lengths of 5.2–5.3 mm [35]. The PLD of L .…”

“…The PLD of L . lepadogaster lasts 11–18 days [34, 35]; comparably short in relation to other temperate rocky reef species [36]. …”

“…Focusing on a major marine protected area in Portugal, the Marine Park of Arrábida (MPA), a good model species to study these questions of connectivity within and out of the MPA, is Lepadogaster lepadogaster , a temperate clingfish, for which there is evidence from a combination of biological, ecological and oceanographic features, suggesting high population structure and low connectivity among populations. These features include short pelagic larval duration (PLD [34, 35, 36]), the occurrence of all larval developmental stages in the nearshore environment [12, 37], the hatching of well-developed larvae [35] and oceanographic data suggesting retention in the region of this MPA [38]. …”

Lepadogaster purpurea (Actinopterygii: Gobiesociformes: Gobiesocidae) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Significantly extended distribution range

“…Furthermore, they show clear differences in larval development and behaviour (Faria andGonçalves 2010, Tojeira et al 2012). The two species further differ in their microhabitat preferences and breeding seasons (Patzner 1999, Henriques et al 2002.…”