Early life history traits of the blenny Auchenionchus crinitus (Teleostei: Labrisomidae) off northern Chile

Abstract

The early life history traits of the labrisomid blenny Auchenionchus crinitus (Jenyns, 1842) from subtidal rocky reefs were studied, based on microstructure analysis of sagittae of their pelagic larvae (4.01 mm NL −12.50 mm SL). Ichthyoplankton was collected in shallow (<20 m) nearshore waters off Isla Santa María, Antofagasta, northern Chile every 15 days during austral autumn–winter 2014 (five sampling days). During late May and early June, larval abundance was low (median ± MAD, 39.06 ± 5.08 ind. 100 m−3), increasing significantly during mid-June to early August (110.98 ± 47.66 ind. 100 m−3). Using 354 sagittae, the back-calculated hatch dates indicated the occurrence of three hatching events, two in autumn and one in winter. Hatching occurred mainly during the illuminated phases of the lunar cycle. All three batches had similar estimated larval sizes at hatch (3.2–3.7 mm SL), as well as similar growth rates (0.19–0.22 mm day−1) during the first 30 days of life. During the study period, shallow waters were well mixed, with seawater temperature of 14.73 ± 0.58°C and salinity of 34.84 ± 0.04. This is the first estimation of early life history traits of this cryptobenthic species from rocky reefs of Chile.

Parental care and early development of the labrisomid blenny Labrisomus philippii (Labrisomidae) from northern Chile

“…Larval stages of L. philippii show similar features of other larvae of labrisomid blennies, being an elongated body, laterally compressed, short head and snout, the most recurrent. Larvae of sympatric species, such as Auchenionchus crinitus (Jenyns, 1841) and A. microcirrhis (Valenciennes, 1836) share similar characteristics; however, both species did not have preopercular spines during pre‐ and postflexion (Landaeta, Nowajewski, et al, 2019, Landaeta, Bernal‐Durán, et al, 2019). Also, A. variolosus (Valenciennes, 1836) and Calliclinus geniguttatus (Valenciennes, 1836) larvae have heavily pigmented bodies (Galeano‐Chavarria et al, 2020; Vera‐Duarte & Landaeta, 2016).…”

“…(5.06 mm BL) was larger than the estimated for A. crinitus of northern(3.20-3.70 mm BL, Landaeta, Nowajewski, et al, 2019) and centralChile (3.70-4.79 mm BL, Landaeta, Bernal-Durán, et al, 2019). Additionally, growth rates estimated under cultured conditions were faster than those estimated by otolith microstructure in other labrisomids (0.19-0.22 mmd −1 ,Landaeta, Nowajewski, et al, 2019). These differences may F I G U R E 8 Morphological events observed during the development of Labrisomus philippii, in the larval and juvenile period.…”

“…The eggs are small (0.6–1.5 mm), spheric to elliptic, having one or more oil globules, and attached among them and to the substratum through filaments originated from the basal pole ( Paraclinus ) or from both poles ( Malacoctenus ) of each egg (Breder, 1939; Watson, 1996). Some species, such as Auchenionchus crinitus (Jenyns, 1841) show a lunar hatching pattern, centered in the full moon (Landaeta, Nowajewski, et al, 2019). Recently hatched labrisomid larvae measured 3–4 mm notochord length (NL), with pigmented eyes, open mouth and a small yolk‐sac.…”

Modelling seasonal patterns of larval fish parasitism in two northern nearshore areas in the Humboldt Current System

“…These local differences in larval infestation could be associated with oceanographic conditions, as well as the topography of these nearshore areas and the habitats that they provide. In this context, Isla Santa María, a semi-closed bay of rocky reefs with kelp forests of Lessonia trabeculata and Macrocystis integrifolia and high nutrient inputs 20,47 , www.nature.com/scientificreports/ provides a favourable habitat with high planktonic biodiversity, food availability, and shelter for optimizing the growth and survival of fish larvae 48 ; promoting the acquisition and retention of parasites in the water column. While Punta Coloso is an open coastal area with an ocean bottom that mainly comprises sand, gravel, and mud as well as patches of L. trabeculata kelp 24 , in addition to the presence of an upwelling plume and a cyclonic eddy in front of the bay 21 ; conditions that promote the offshore transport of planktonic organisms, decreasing the probability of host-parasite encounters.…”

Lunar influences in the diet habits and selectivity of larval clingfish Gobiesox marmoratus

“…Recent studies have shown that littoral species from the Humboldt Current Ecosystem (HCS) display lunar and semi‐lunar hatching events, particularly in fishes from families Tripterygiidae (threefin blennies), Gobiesocidae (clingfishes) and Dactyloscopidae (sand stargazers) (Contreras et al ., ; Palacios‐Fuentes et al ., ; Rodríguez‐Valentino et al ., ). Other species show a reduction of hatching events during the new moon, such as the labrisomid blenny Auchenionchus crinitus (Jenyns 1841) (Landaeta et al ., ). However, the hatching pattern may vary at seasonal and inter‐annual scales (Castillo‐Hidalgo et al ., ; Rodríguez‐Valentino et al ., ).…”