Maternal influence on the variation of the reproductive cycle of Trisopterus luscus (Gadidae)

Abstract

It is well documented and accepted that the reproductive potential of a population is not only influenced by the abundance of spawners but also by their age, size, and condition. Most studies of maternal effects on the reproductive potential have focused on factors such as egg production and quality, and less attention has been paid to the maternal influence on the temporal variation of the reproductive cycle. The present study introduces and describes some possible sources of variation in the reproductive cycle of the pouting Trisopterus luscus in Galician coastal waters (northwestern Iberian Peninsula). The reproductive cycle of this species was adequately examined and defined, and seasonal variations in maternal characteristics, such as size and energy status (available energy reserves), were also studied. The reproductive cycle seems to be perfectly synchronized with changes in environmental variables that occur in the ecosystem, as reflected in the strong seasonality of the spawning period. The results showed a clear effect of size mainly on the duration of the spawning season, the spawning season of larger females beginning earlier and lasting longer than that of smaller individuals. The proportion of developing females is positively related to available energy reserves. On the other hand, energy reserves vary depending on the sexual cycle and are significantly negatively related to the proportion of females in spawning condition. The latter is an indicator of the dependence of the reproductive cycle of this species with previously stored energy reserves. RESUMEN.Está ampliamente documentado y aceptado que el potencial reproductivo de una población no sólo está influenciado por la abundancia de reproductores sino también por la edad, talla y estado de condición de los mismos. La mayoría de los estudios acerca de los efectos maternales sobre el potencial reproductivo se han centrado en factores como la producción y calidad de los huevos, mientras que su influencia en la variación temporal del ciclo reproductivo ha recibido menos atención. En este estudio se presentan y describen algunas posibles fuentes de variación del ciclo reproductivo de la faneca Trisopterus luscus en aguas costeras de Galicia (noroeste de la Península Ibérica). Se exploró y definió adecuadamente el ciclo reproductivo de esta especie y se investigaron, a su vez, las variaciones estacionales de características maternales como la talla y el estado energético (reservas energéticas disponibles). El ciclo reproductivo parece estar perfectamente sincronizado con los cambios en las variables ambientales que se producen en el ecosistema, como se observó en la fuerte temporalidad de la época reproductiva. Los resultados mostraron un claro efecto de la talla, principalmente sobre la duración de la época de reproducción; las hembras más grandes comienzan la estación de puesta antes y la prolongan durante más tiempo que las de menor talla. La proporción de hembras en desarrollo se relaciona positivamente con los niveles de energía disponibles. Por ...

Life‐history traits of temperate and thermophilic barracudas (Teleostei: Sphyraenidae) in the context of sea warming in the Mediterranean Sea

“…To assess the average length for each spawning period, logistic regression models were constructed for each species using the proportion of spawning capable females (actively spawning sub‐phase included) against the total number of mature females per week (in a calendar year), and developing the models when >50% of the females were in spawning condition in two separate periods to describe the onset and the end of the spawning season. In this way, the extent of the spawning season for each species was estimated from the dates over which 50% of females would be spawning capable between the onset and end of the spawning season (Alonso‐Fernández & Saborido‐Rey, ; Lowerre‐Barbieri et al , ).…”

Maternal effects on fecundity and egg quality of the Patagonian stock of Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi)

“…It was observed that lipids play an important role as stored energy that can affect fecundity, oocyte quality, and larval viability (Wiegand, 1996;Lambert et al, 2003;Aristizabal, 2007). Therefore, because the liver is generally the organ with the highest levels of lipid storage for gadoids, the HSI may be considered a good descriptor of female condition, and a strong infl uence on reproduction (Marshall et al, 1999;Marteinsdottir and Begg, 2002;Alonso-Fernández, 2011).…”

“…Comparison of this variable between both length The hepatosomatic index was the maternal condition measure that best correlated with fecundity in Argentine Hake in this study. Different authors have reported that the liver is the main deposit of lipids for gadoids and have considered this organ as the main source of energy for reproduction (Lambert and Dutil, 1997;Alonso-Fernández, 2011). In addition, certain egg constituents, such as yolk proteins and egg coat substances, are synthesized in the liver (Brooks et al, 1997).…”

Reproductive strategy of common dentex Dentex dentex: management implications

“…This storage dynamic seems to be in accordance with the relative short spawning period indicated both by histological observations and I G , and the high degree of synchronization among individual spawning periods (81% of the females were spawning in April-May). Strong seasonality is typical of capital breeders, and although seasonality is common in cold-water habitats with restricted spawning seasons (Lowerre-Barbieri et al, 2011b), it has been reported also for temperate species with an intermediate strategy (Alonso-Fernández & Saborido-Rey, 2011;2012;Alonso-Fernández et al, 2014). Nevertheless, additional effort is required to properly investigate the energy allocation strategy with biochemical data to better understand the relation between energy reserves and reproduction in D. dentex.…”