Female reproductive biology of the bluemouth <i>Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus</i>: spawning and fecundity

Muñoz, Marta; Dimitriadis, Caterina; Casadevall, Margarida; Vila, Silvia; Delgado, Eulàlia; Lloret, Josep; Saborido-Rey, Fran

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02835.x

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Helicolenus dactylopterus exhibited the greatest percentages of mature individuals in both sexes mostly during autumn–winter, coinciding with its main reproductive period (Muñoz et al . ). Mature males and mature and post‐reproductive females in C. conger were only collected during spring–summer, the spawning period of this species (Whitehead et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

New records of cold‐water coral sites and fish fauna characterization of a potential network existing in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2016

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New cold‐water coral (CWC) sites were recorded along the Apulian margin (Central Mediterranean). The species composition and depth distribution of CWCs were updated. A distribution of the CWC sites coincident with the course of the dense‐water masses that flow between the Southern Adriatic and Northern Ionian was confirmed. The faunal assemblages of five of these CWC sites were investigated and compared using experimental longlines during the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons, between 2010 and 2014. Differences in ecological variables amongst the sites in each season were evaluated by means of a set of univariate and multivariate methods (analysis of variance, permutational multivariate analysis of variance, non‐metric multidimensional scaling). Although some differences were detected in relation to the different depths examined during spring–summer, the CWC sites showed similar features in terms of species richness and diversity as well as in the abundance of the same fish species (Galeus melastomus, Conger conger, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Merluccius merluccius, Phycis blennoides and Pagellus bogaraveo) most probably because of the distribution of adult specimens in structurally complex and heterogeneous habitats, which act as a potential ‘refuge network’ with respect to commercial fishing. The presence of maturing and mature individuals as well as post‐reproductive females indicates that these CWC sites also act as spawning areas, representing a potential ‘renewal network’ for the fish populations. The term ‘network’ used here refers to several similar subsystems (CWC sites) that play the same ecological role in a wider system (Apulian margin). These CWC communities need coherent conservation measures and management strategies according to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

New records of cold‐water coral sites and fish fauna characterization of a potential network existing in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2016

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“…The latter staining method highlights the zona radiata and its continuity and facilitates the detection of degenerating oocytes which will not be spawned, i.e. atretic oocytes [50]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body reserves mediate trade-offs between life-history traits: new insights from small pelagic fish reproduction

et al. 2016

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Limited resources in the environment prevent individuals from simultaneously maximizing all life-history traits, resulting in trade-offs. In particular, the cost of reproduction is well known to negatively affect energy investment in growth and maintenance. Here, we investigated these trade-offs during contrasting periods of high versus low fish size and body condition (before/after 2008) in the Gulf of Lions. Female reproductive allocation and performance in anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) were examined based on morphometric historical data from the 1970s and from 2003 to 2015. Additionally, potential maternal effects on egg quantity and quality were examined in 2014/2015. After 2008, the gonadosomatic index increased for sardine and remained steady for anchovy, while a strong decline in mean length at first maturity indicated earlier maturation for both species. Regarding maternal effects, for both species egg quantity was positively linked to fish size but not to fish lipid reserves, while the egg quality was positively related to lipid reserves. Atresia prevalence and intensity were rather low regardless of fish condition and size. Finally, estimations of total annual numbers of eggs spawned indicated a sharp decrease for sardine since 2008 but a slight increase for anchovy during the last 5 years. This study revealed a biased allocation towards reproduction in small pelagic fish when confronted with a really low body condition. This highlights that fish can maintain high reproductive investment potentially at the cost of other traits which might explain the present disappearance of old and large individuals in the Gulf of Lions.

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“…; Muñoz et al . ). Alternatively, some fishes with a clear size hiatus between primary and secondary oocytes (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Energy acquisition and allocation to egg production in relation to fish reproductive strategies

et al. 2013

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Oogenesis in fishes follows a universal plan; yet, due to differences in the synchrony and rate of egg development, spawning frequency varies from daily to once in a lifetime. Some species spawn and feed in separate areas, during different seasons, by storing energy and drawing on it later for reproduction (i.e. capital breeding). Other species spawn using energy acquired locally, throughout a prolonged spawning season, allocating energy directly to reproduction (i.e. income breeding). Capital breeders tend to ovulate all at once and are more likely to be distributed at boreal latitudes. Income breeding allows small fish to overcome allometric constraints on egg production. Income breeders can recover more quickly when good‐feeding conditions are re‐established, which is a benefit to adults regarding bet‐hedging spawning strategies. Many species exhibit mixed capital‐ and income‐breeding patterns. An individual's position along this capital–income continuum may shift with ontogeny or in relation to environmental conditions, so breeding patterns are a conditional reproductive strategy. Poor‐feeding environments can lead to delayed maturation, skipped spawning, fewer spawning events per season or fewer eggs produced per event. In a few cases, variations in feeding environments appear to affect recruitment variability. These flexible processes of energy acquisition and allocation allow females to prioritize their own condition over their propagules' condition at any given spawning opportunity, thereby investing energy cautiously to maximize lifetime reproductive value. These findings have implications for temporal and spatial sampling designs, for measurement and interpretation of fecundity, and for interpreting fishery and ecosystem assessments.

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Female reproductive biology of the bluemouth Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus: spawning and fecundity

Cited by 23 publications

References 55 publications

New records of cold‐water coral sites and fish fauna characterization of a potential network existing in the Mediterranean Sea

New records of cold‐water coral sites and fish fauna characterization of a potential network existing in the Mediterranean Sea

Body reserves mediate trade-offs between life-history traits: new insights from small pelagic fish reproduction

Energy acquisition and allocation to egg production in relation to fish reproductive strategies

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