Description of the ovarian follicle growth of the neotropical cichlids Petenia splendida and Parachromis managuensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

Abstract

The ovarian follicle growth in Petenia splendida and Parachromis managuensis was analyzed. Both species presented analogous follicular growth, reaching similar values within the gonadosomatic and somatic indices (I G ) to those reported in other cichlids; however, with regard to maturity, these indices were significantly greater in Pe. splendida than in Pa. managuensis. The histology of oogenesis coincided with that known from most teleosts, except for one difference: the granulosa layer of Pa. managuensis was composed of pseudo-stratified columnar cells, whereas other species presented columnar cells. Another conspicuous difference was registered in the first stage of oocyte maturation: Pa. managuensis exhibited the entire spectrum from primary to vitellogenic follicles, whereas in Pe. splendida only primary follicles occurred at that stage. It is concluded that Pa. managuensis shows a reproductive strategy with very short spawning periods, influencing the colonization capacity in the Grijalva-Usumacinta River system. Both species, however, may still be considered as synchronic breeders, based on the characteristics of the maturation process of their oocytes despite their slightly different mode.

Early Ontogeny of Cichlids Using Selected Species as Examples

“…This phenomenon has also been observed in other lithophilic fishes such as Salmo salar or Salmo trutta [40,41]. The significant differences observed in the average number of eggs laid by the female were due to the size and shape of the fish body and most likely related to the size of the ovaries [1,34]. A relationship between body size and number of mature eggs has also been observed in other cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Coptodon zillii, and Cichlasoma orientale) [35,36,42,43], while in Cichlasoma urophthalmus, no correlation between female size and number of mature eggs has been demonstrated [44].…”

“…Central and South America are home to many species of tropical fish, which, due to their rich body coloration and representative appearance, are a relatively common object of interest for aquarists. The cichlids of the genus Cichlasoma from these regions are of great interest not only for their rich coloration but also for their interesting reproductive behavior [1]. Three representatives of this genus, the jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis Günther, 1867) from Central American waters, as well as the green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus Günther, 1860) and the red discus (Symphysodon discus Heckel, 1840) from South American waters, inhabit similar biotopes in the wild.…”

“…The study of the speed and rate of gonad development in female jaguar cichlids showed that the reproductive strategy of jaguar cichlids is based on asynchronous ovarian maturation, with mature oocytes being located in the ovary next to the next batch of rapidly maturing oocytes. This allows these cichlids to maximize the time between spawning and, as a result, efficiently colonize successive reaches of the Grijalva-Usumacinta River [1]. Prazdnikov [33] studied the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on the development of sexual characteristics, fecundity, and spawning behavior, as well as on embryonic development (hatching time, survival, and malformations) of the green terror.…”

A histological study of the organogenesis of the digestive system in bay snook Petenia splendida Günther, 1862 from hatching to the juvenile stage

“…The bay snook is a demersal, piscivorous neotropical freshwater fish that inhabits lakes and lower river valleys in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize). Prominent features of this carnivorous fish are its brilliant golden colour, protractile mouth, large size (up to 45 cm body length), and meat, which is of a firm consistency and excellent flavour (Pérez‐Vega et al., 2006). These characteristics make the bay snook a good candidate for the development and diversification of local freshwater aquaculture, which currently is mostly based on the culture of tilapine species; however, the aquaculture production of P. splendida depends on wild captures, with the result that this species has been widely over‐exploited.…”

Development of the axial skeleton in the bay snook Petenia splendida Günther, 1862 (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

“…The bay snook ( Petenia splendida Günter, 1862), called ‘tenguayaca’ in Mexico, is a demersal, piscivorous, neotropical freshwater fish belonging to the cichlid family (Perciformes) that inhabits lakes and lower river valleys in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala and Belize). Prominent features of this fish are its brilliant golden colour, protractile mouth, large size (up to 45 cm in body length), and meat of firm consistency and excellent flavour (Pérez‐Vega et al., ). These characteristics make the bay snook a good candidate for the development and diversification of local freshwater aquaculture, which is mostly based on the culture of tilapine species.…”