Reproductive dynamics of Lycengraulis grossidens (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) and Platanichthys platana (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) in a subtropical coastal lagoon

Abstract

We evaluated the reproductive dynamics of two fish species, Lycengraulis grossidens and Platanichthys platana, in a subtropical freshwater coastal lagoon (Peri Lagoon) in Brazil. Samples were collected from nine sites every two months from June 2008 to April 2012. Different fishing methods were used to capture larvae, juveniles, and adults. Limnological variables were obtained using multiparameter probe. More females than males were collected of both fish species and the chi-square test (χ 2 ) was used to confirm that the sex ratio was female-biased. Large numbers of maturing and mature fishes were observed in almost every sampling month. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of L. grossidens was the highest in August, October, and December for females and in October for males, and no significant difference was found across years. The GSI of P. platana showed no significant difference across months for either sex; however, significant differences were recorded in year three (June 2010-April 2011) and year four (June 2011-April 2012) for females and in year three (June 2010-April 2011) for males. For both species, GSI was negatively correlated with temperature and water level. L. grossidens larvae were more abundant in October 2010, showing a positive correlation with water transparency, whereas P. platana larvae were more abundant in June 2011, showing a positive correlation with water transparency and negative correlation with temperature and precipitation. Both species were represented by different stages, including larvae, which confirm that these species reproduce in Peri Lagoon. Reproduction was more pronounced in autumn and winter; however, reproductive activity was evident throughout the sampling period.In conclusion, our results show that abiotic factors strongly influence the temporal pattern of reproductive activity and larval assemblages of both L. grossidens and P. platana in Peri Lagoon, Brazil.

Reproductive cycle of the tetra Astyanax bimaculatus (Characiformes: Characidae) collected in Amazonian streams

“…This scenario can help explain why only two maturation phases were observed in all females collected during the sampling period, hypothesizing that A. bimaculatus females are always prepared for reproduction, depending only on an environmental trigger. This behaviour has already been observed in other species such as the sardines Lycenaraulis grossiden and Platanichthys platana (Lopes et al, 2018), which demonstrated the ability to adjust their reproduction based in environmental conditions and to reproduce in any season of the year. Nevertheless, reproduction was mainly triggered by temperature for those species, differing from the present findings.…”

Ichthyoplankton distribution set by different environments shapes in a coastal freshwater lagoon

“…Most Clupeiformes (Clupeidae and Engraulidae) exhibit extended spawning periods throughout the year (Lopes et al, 2018;Trindade-Santos & Freire, 2015). They lay pelagic eggs and have short planktonic life cycles (Able & Fahay, 1998;Araújo et al, 2008).…”

“…Limited environmental studies have been conducted on this lagoon since the 1970s, resulting in significant gaps in our understanding of its functions (Teive et al, 2008). Regarding the ichthyofauna, only a few studies have focused on adult animals, and even fewer have investigated the distribution of fish eggs and larvae in this lagoon (Ferreira et al, 2017;Lopes et al, 2018).…”

Variação Temporal De Larvas De Clupeiformes (Pisces, Teleostei) Em Um Lago De Várzea No Baixo Amazonas, Pará, Brasil / Temporal Variation of Clupeiformes Larvae (Pisces, Teleostei) in Várzea Lake in the Lower Amazon, Pará, Brazil

“…A reprodução, geralmente, ocorre sazonalmente entre os momentos de seca e enchente dos corpos d'água (ZACARDI et al, 2017b;PONTE et al, 2019). Além de ser influenciada pela variação espacial e temporal dos fatores ambientais como a temperatura da água, volume de precipitação, pH e condutividade elétrica (ZACARDI et al, 2017a;CAJADO et al, 2020), maximizando a sobrevivência da prole e garantindo a manutenção da população local (LOPES et al, 2018).…”