Lunar Spawning Cycle in the Mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus (Pisces: Cyprinodontidae)

Taylor, Malcolm H.; Leach, Glenn J.; DiMichele, Leonard; Levitan, William M.; Jacob, William F.

doi:10.2307/1443417

Cited by 134 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The reproductive pattern of Fundulus heteroclitus, which produces multiple cohorts of larvae over a prolonged spawning season (Taylor et al 1979, Kneib 1986a, is consistent with theoretical expectations for a reproductive strategy that effectively diffuses mortality risk for the young in a fluctuatmg environment (Schaffer 1974, Stearns 1977. This type of reproductive pattern, which primarily occurs among marine fishes with demersal eggs, has been considered a 'bet-hedging' strategy that ensures at least some cohorts will experience conditions favorable for survival and growth (Lambert & Ware 1984, Sherman et al 1984.…”

Section: Effects Of Prior Cohortssupporting

confidence: 73%

“…This cyprinodontid is among the most abundant and productive fish in salt marshes along the eastern coast of North America (Valiela et al 1977, Meredith & Lotrich 1979 and several features of its life history make it an excellent subject for in situ field experiments. Mummichogs have a protracted spawning season, during which the intensity of reproductive activity varies on a predictable semi-lunar cycle that produces distinct peaks of activity associated with high-amplitude spring tides (Taylor et al 1979, Kneib 1986a. Near the southern limit of the species' range, the annual spawning pattern consists of 2 distinct reproductive episodes, each lasting 2.0 to 2.5 mo and separated by a period of ca 1.5 mo (mid-May through June) when there is little reproductive activity and fish replenish energy reserves depleted during the first episode (Kneib 1986a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Growth and mortality in successive cohorts of fish larvae within an estuarine nursery

Kneib¹

1993

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The young of many coastal fishes appear on estuarine nursery grounds in a progression of successive cohorts, few of which encounter identical environmental conditions. Using in situ manipulations, I explored the effects of natural environmental variability and use of a nursery habitat by prior cohorts on growth and mortality rates in successive larval cohorts of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus, a cyprinodontid fish common in salt marshes along the east coast of North America. Variation in mean daily specific rates of growth ( G = 0.027 to 0.143) and mortality (Z = 0.007 to 0.1 18) within a n d among cohorts was associated with the tidal cycle. Growth rate was positively associated and mortality rate negatively associated with the duration of tidal flooding experienced by groups of fish larvae. Tidal flooding may have affected growth and survival by controlling the renewal rate of prey resources (primarily harpacticoid copepods) in intertidal aquatic microhabitats where the fish larvae are normally found. Overall high survival (up to 90 % after 2 wk) of larvae in experimental cohorts was attributed to the exclusion of predators from field enclosures. Successive cohorts of larvae were not nutritionally independent and use of the nursery habitat by a prior cohort usually had a negative effect on survival of larvae in the next cohort. These findings challenge the general tenet that fish larvae are not foodlimited in nurseries and suggest how variation in the phys~cal environment can restrict food availability even in a highly productive estuarine habitat. The spawnlng pattern of F heteroclitusseems to combine features from along a continuum of reproductive strategies exhibited by other marine fishes and may contribute to maintaining a large and stable population in a fluctuating estuarine environment.

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Section: Effects Of Prior Cohortssupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and mortality in successive cohorts of fish larvae within an estuarine nursery

Kneib¹

1993

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In some of those cases, multiple spawning peaks were believed to bring about the multiple cohorts of young. 13,14,18,19) The cohort of Rhodeus ocel latus occurring early was reported to be from early spawners composed of old year classes and the one occurring late from young late spawners.16) According to our work on N. albiflora, it is likely that the two cohorts come from two spawning peaks, but we need to undertake more detailed examinations to be sure of it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of two cohorts in young of the year of Nibea albiflora in the Ariake sound and comparison of their growth and changes in body composition.

Takita¹,

Saito²,

Oiwa³

1989

NIPPON SUISAN GAKKAISHI

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Changes in size, water content and C/N ratio were examined on young Nibea albiflora dis tributed in the Ariake Sound to elucidate their growth and body condition which might decide the success of recruitment. The specimens were collected from the head of the Ariake Sound and the mouth area of rivers which drain to the sound. The youngs occurred twice a year , in June and August. The cohort occurring early grew fast attaining about 150mm in standard length by the end of the year, whereas the other was as small as 60-70mm. The C/N ratio decreased initially with growth, and increased afterward in fall, and the water content decreased consistently. The early changes were thought to be characteristic of young stages and the ones in fall due to the ac cumulation of energy to overwinter. The body component analysis revealed that the cohort oc curring early stores enough energy in fall facing the first winter, whereas the other fails to do that, probably due to food scarcity in the habitat. Local populations of young N. albiflora having different growing conditions were found to exist in the sound.

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“…Predictable spawning in the field and under lab conditions provides a ready source of embryos. Females produce dozens of eggs for each of many semi-lunar cycles over several months in the field or in the laboratory with high rates of embryonic and early larval survival (Taylor et al, 1979;Hsiao et al, 1996;Black et al, 1998a;Nacci et al, 1998Nacci et al, , 2005.…”

Section: Reproduction and Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundulus as the premier teleost model in environmental biology: Opportunities for new insights using genomics

Burnett

Bain

Baldwin

et al. 2007

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Pr

213

195

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A strong foundation of basic and applied research documents that the estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus and related species are unique laboratory and field models for understanding how individuals and populations interact with their environment. In this paper we summarize an extensive body of work examining the adaptive responses of Fundulus species to environmental conditions, and describe how this research has contributed importantly to our understanding of physiology, gene regulation, toxicology, and ecological and evolutionary genetics of teleosts and other vertebrates. These explorations have reached a critical juncture at which advancement is hindered by the lack of genomic resources for these species. We suggest that a more complete genomics toolbox for F. heteroclitus and related species will permit researchers to exploit the power of this model organism to rapidly advance our understanding of fundamental biological and pathological mechanisms among vertebrates, as well as ecological strategies and evolutionary processes common to all living organisms.

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Lunar Spawning Cycle in the Mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus (Pisces: Cyprinodontidae)

Cited by 134 publications

References 5 publications

Growth and mortality in successive cohorts of fish larvae within an estuarine nursery

Growth and mortality in successive cohorts of fish larvae within an estuarine nursery

Occurrence of two cohorts in young of the year of Nibea albiflora in the Ariake sound and comparison of their growth and changes in body composition.

Fundulus as the premier teleost model in environmental biology: Opportunities for new insights using genomics

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