Contrasting batch fecundity estimates of albacore (Thunnus alalunga), an indeterminate spawner, by different laboratory techniques

Saber, Sámar; Macías, David; Urbina, Josetxu Ortiz de; Kjesbu, Olav Sigurd

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2015.12.013

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Finally, fork length, in consequence of the estimated weight in both stocks, does not influence high oocyte production per gram of ovary, because this variable did not demonstrate any correlation with the estimated densities in both stereological methods, which confirms that individual batch fecundity is determined only by ovary weight; this attribute agrees with previous studies carried out in other tunas (Aranda et al, 2013;Ashida et al, 2015;Saber et al, 2016). Because absolute gonad weight is related to the total weight of fish, batch fecundity for each Atlantic BFT stock will be determined only by their spawner biomass.…”

Section: Oocyte Stereological Countingsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Oocyte density (here defined as number of oocytes per gram of ovary) is an important biological input for reproductive studies, which allows estimating fecundity, a fundamental factor in population dynamics (Hunter et al, 1992). A variety of methods may be applied to estimate this value, and its election generally depends on the available resources (Murua et al, 2003; Saber et al, 2016). For indeterminate spawner species, hydrated oocyte (HY) counting is commonly used (Hunter et al, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Oocyte dynamics for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: A comparative assessment of Mediterranean spawners using two stereological methods

Cruz-Castán

Saber

Meiners-Mandujano

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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Although most research focused on the northern Gulf of Mexico for western Atlantic bluefin tuna, the histological records of reproductive activity of this species in the southern Gulf of Mexico (Mexican waters) have been presented for the first time. This work is the first to study oocyte dynamics in Atlantic bluefin tuna caught in the southern Gulf of Mexico by assessing and comparing them with Mediterranean stock (BFT‐E) through stereology using two different methods. Regardless of Atlantic bluefin tuna females returning to their respective spawning grounds at different months in the southern Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean, both stocks arrived reproductively inactive and remained in these zones during periods of similar length; they were reproductively active until March for the southern Gulf of Mexico and May for the Mediterranean females. The comparison of the size structure between the two stocks examined using kernel density estimators demonstrated a quite remarkable difference in mean fork lengths between stocks. The ovarian oocyte density, that is, the number of oocytes per gram of ovary, for each gonad stage predicted using the Weibel and Gomez and oocyte packing density (OPD) methods did not significantly differ between stocks and showed that advanced vitellogenic oocytes from spawning‐capable females are an appropriate indicator to estimate potential fecundity, presenting values of c. 1273 and ~1355 eggs per gram for the southern Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean females, respectively. Females caught in Mexican waters (southern Gulf of Mexico) were larger than those caught in the Mediterranean; however, it was demonstrated that the length and weight of females did not affect ovarian oocyte density production. In addition, densities estimated for each gonad stage using W&G and OPD methods did not differ between stocks and presented equal patterns in their oocyte dynamics. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, especially in the southern Gulf of Mexico, due to the lack of information regarding this zone, and may allow to support strategies for proper assessment, management, and conservation.

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Section: Oocyte Stereological Countingsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oocyte dynamics for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: A comparative assessment of Mediterranean spawners using two stereological methods

Cruz-Castán

Saber

Meiners-Mandujano

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…The C1 and C2 germ cells developed into yolked oocytes once spawning commenced and were not replaced immediately; however, they re-appeared at the end of the spawning run, among spent and resting fish (Classes E, F), showing that recrudescence of the gonad for the following year begins in some females before they leave the river during the current spawning year. More detailed characterization of oocyte growth dynamics among cells < 500 μm would require specialized techniques (e.g., [ 9 , 10 , 30 ]). Although such detailed research would be useful to understand recrudescence of the standing stock of yolked oocytes, as well as to independently confirm that de novo vitellogenesis is not occurring, this additional effort would unlikely alter our conclusion that oocyte development in the population is group synchronous, and that a determinate fecundity method can be used routinely for accurately estimating annual fecundity for this population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yolked Oocyte Dynamics Support Agreement between Determinate- and Indeterminate-Method Estimates of Annual Fecundity for a Northeastern United States Population of American Shad

et al. 2016

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Reports of American shad fecundity identify two important themes regarding egg production in fishes. First, geographic variation occurs and is biologically meaningful. Shad annual fecundity decreases with increasing latitude, but predicted lifetime fecundity does not, because of a counter-gradient of survival probability, all of which can explain the adaptive significance of natal homing. Second, the appropriate method of measuring fecundity depends on the pattern of oocyte development. Historically, the relatively simple determinate-fecundity method was used; however, a recent study in a Virginia river indicates that this method may be biased, requiring the more complicated indeterminate method. We address both themes with collections from the 2015 shad spawning run in the Connecticut River, USA. Criteria for using a determinate method were satisfied for this northern population: 1) a size gap evident in the oocyte size frequency distribution, indicating group-synchronous development of yolked oocytes; 2) a decline, early in spawning, in the standing stock of yolked oocytes; and 3) low levels of atresia at the end of spawning. The determinate-method estimate of American shad annual (2015) fecundity (303,000 ± 73,400; mean ± sd) overlapped historic estimates for this and a neighboring river. The indeterminate-method estimate of annual (2015) fecundity (311,500 ± 4,500 sd) was not significantly different from the determinate-method estimate (Student’s t-test, P > 0.05). In contrast, indeterminate-method estimates of annual fecundity for a Virginia population were twice as high as that measured by the determinate method in the past. This can all be explained by fundamentally different patterns of oogenesis (i.e., group synchrony versus asynchrony with respect to yolk development) at different latitudes. American shad, which is distributed within its native range from the Canadian maritimes to Florida, USA (50–30°N), may be particularly well suited to evaluate intra-specific variation in oocyte development, a relatively unexplored life history trait.

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“…In the Indian Ocean, contrary to the western Atlantic Ocean [21,22], Pacific Ocean [23,24] and Mediterranean Sea [25–27], biological studies are scarce and little new information is available [28]. In the northeast Atlantic, sexual maturity for males and females is reached between 90 and 94 cm fork length ( L F ) or at age 5, with no difference noted between the sexes [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Biology of Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the Western Indian Ocean

et al. 2016

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The reproductive biology of albacore tuna, Thunnus alalunga, in the western Indian Ocean was examined through analysis of the sex ratio, spawning season, length-at-maturity (L50), spawning frequency and fecundity. From 2013 to 2015, a total of 923 female and 867 male albacore were sampled. A bias in sex ratio was found in favor of females with fork length (LF) < 100 cm. Using histological analyses and gonadosomatic index, spawning was found to occur between 10°S and 30°S, mainly to the east of Madagascar from October to January. Large females contributed more to reproduction through their longer spawning period compared to small individuals. The L50 (mean ± standard error) of female albacore was estimated at 85.3 ± 0.7 cm LF. Albacore spawn on average every 2.2 days within the spawning region and spawning months, from November to January. Batch fecundity ranged between 0.26 and 2.09 million oocytes and the relative batch fecundity (mean ± standard deviation) was estimated at 53.4 ± 23.2 oocytes g-1 of somatic-gutted weight. The study provides new information on the reproductive development and classification of albacore in the western Indian Ocean. The reproductive parameters will reduce uncertainty in current stock assessment models which will eventually assist the fishery to be sustainable for future generations.

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Contrasting batch fecundity estimates of albacore (Thunnus alalunga), an indeterminate spawner, by different laboratory techniques

Cited by 7 publications

References 44 publications

Oocyte dynamics for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: A comparative assessment of Mediterranean spawners using two stereological methods

Oocyte dynamics for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: A comparative assessment of Mediterranean spawners using two stereological methods

Yolked Oocyte Dynamics Support Agreement between Determinate- and Indeterminate-Method Estimates of Annual Fecundity for a Northeastern United States Population of American Shad

Reproductive Biology of Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the Western Indian Ocean

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