The biology of the catfish Cnidoglanis macrocephalus (Plotosidae) in an Australian estuary

This paper describes the age structure, growth, diet and aspects of gonadal development in the cobbler, Cnidoglanis macrocephalus (Valenciennes), in the large Swan estuary in south-western Australia between August 1982 and June 1984. Analysis of otolith annuli showed that while the 0+ to 3+ age classes were regularly represented in monthly samples, the 4+ and more particularly the 5+ and 6+ were much less abundant. The weighted means for the back calculated lengths at the end of the first to fourth years of life were 181 mm (≡ 26 g), 314 mm (≡ 156 g), 418 mm (≡ 410 g) and 518 mm (≡ 833 g) respectively. The mean length at the end of the second year of life was similar to the minimum legal size for capture by commercial fishermen (320 mm). The von Bertlanffy growth curve calculated from the back calculated lengths was L_t = 917 [1 − e^{−0·20(t + 0·11)}]. The relative weight of mulluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes in the intestine varied markedly between small and large fish, apparently reflecting differences in the size of these prey. The large mean diameter of mature eggs ( ) was correlated with a low mean absolute fecundity (2078). Trends shown by egg size, gonadosomatic index and time of appearance of spent females indicate that spawning takes place between October and December. The attainment of sexual maturity is both age- and size-dependent. Although sexually maturing and occasionally spent fish were found in the lower estuary, meristic values, commercial catch statistics and other data indicate that the cobbler found in the Swan estuary are part of a population which typically spawns at sea.     

Studies on the population ecology of Upogebia deltaura (Leach) (Crustacea, Thalassinidea)

Upogebia deltaura was collected quantitatively and qualitatively between June 1980 and August 1982 from a level, sandy bottom at a 12 m depth in the archipelago of Lysekil (on Gullmarsfjorden) about 70 km north of Göteborg, in western Sweden. A total of 347 individuals were obtained. The deepest burrows reached a depth of more than 65 cm into the substrate. During the cold season, U. deltaura was situated much deeper in the substrate than it was during the summer, probably as a result of ‘hibernation’. The average density was 5·0 individuals 0·1 m⁻², and the maximum of 10 specimens was found in one 0·1 m² sample. Out of the 341 individuals identifiable as to sex, 186 (54·6%) were females and 155 (45·4%) were males. Berried females were found between May and August, and the average number of eggs carried was 4757. Ecdysis took place between May and August; most females moulted in the middle of June and most males about one month later, in mid July. The chelipeds of large males were proportionally bigger than were those of large females. Maximum total body length of the females was 65·7 mm, and that of the males was 65·3 mm.     

Growth and reproduction of the Japanese mantis shrimp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oratosquilla oratoria</Emphasis> (De Haan 1844) in the coastal area of Tongyeong,Korea

Growth and reproduction of the Japanese mantis shrimp, Oratosquilla oratoria, were investigated in the Tongyeong, Korea from July 2014 to August 2015. A total of 2,621 samples (1,380 females and 1,241 males) were collected during the study period. Females were observed more frequently than males. The mean body length (BL) was 128.5 ± 0.38 mm in females and 126.9 ± 0.42 mm in males. The mean body weight (BW) was 31.2 ± 0.28 g in females and 31.1 ± 0.32 g in males. There was a significant difference in the length-frequency distribution between females and males. The relationship between BL and BW was lnBW = 2.85 × lnBL - 10.43 for females and lnBW = 2.87 × lnBL -10.52 for males. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) varied on a monthly basis. The GSI reached a maximum in May and a minimum in November. The highest values of the GSI coincided with the spawning period of O. oratoria. Larger individuals of O. oratoria have their spawning season earlier than smaller ones. The size at sexual maturity of females was estimated as 96.5 mm. The Von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were BL_∞ = 184.5 mm, K = 0.72 year^?1, C = 0.36 and WP = 0.45 for females and BL_∞ = 183.75 mm, K = 0.82 year^?1, C = 0.38 and WP = 0.22 for males. The growth of males was slightly faster than females. The present study will help with the fisheries management of O. oratoria based on ecological parameters.     

Growth,sexual maturity and reproduction in the hottentot Pachymetopon blochii (Val.)

The growth of hottentot is described by the relationship L_f (mm) = 538,015 (1?e^{?0,097(t + 0,431)}). By determining the otolith growth rate and validating it with counts of daily rings identified on scanning electron micrographs of otolith sections, it was found that previous growth curves underestimated the age of the fish by one year. Differences in growth rate between sexes and over geographical regions were negligible. The ratio of males to females in sampled catches was 1:1,383 and 50-per-cent sexual maturity was attained at 220 mm fork length. There are two main spawning seasons, late autumn and summer, although some breeding activity continues throughout the year. Spatial differences in mean gonadosomatic indices were minimal.     

Population dynamics of Callichirus major (Say, 1818) (Crustacea, Thalassinidea) on a beach in northeastern Brazil

We describe the structure, reproductive cycle, fecundity, growth, and mortality of a harvested population of the ghost shrimp Callichirus major. Samples were collected at monthly intervals from September 1999 to October 2000 on an urban sandy beach (08°11′S 34°55′W) in northeastern Brazil. During this period the sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1:1 (0.98 M: 1 F). Minimum and maximum sizes of the Dorsal Oval were 2.59 and 12.19 mm for males and 4.46 and 12.62 mm for females, respectively. Ovigerous females were found throughout the period, except between August and September 2000. Maximum lifespan was estimated as 3.3 and 3.4 years for females and males, respectively. This northeastern population differed from others previously studied in southern and southeastern Brazil, in regard to sex ratio, maximum attained size, maturation size, period and duration of the reproductive cycle, and fecundity. We interpret these regional differences as evidence for over-fishing at the study site, and suggest that large-scale management plans for callianassid populations should use regional population parameters.     

网箱养殖大黄鱼生长特性的研究

对宁德地区网箱养殖大黄鱼(Pseudosciaena crocea)生长特性进行了研究。测定了780尾大黄鱼25个月龄的各项生长数据,体长变幅为20.5~320.0 mm,体质量变动范围为0.281~555.5 g;生长指标显示,体长生长指标为0.208~2.123,体质量生长指标为0.529~47.579;肥满度波动范围为1.74%~2.37%;肝指数变动范围为0.92%~2.07%;鳔生长指数为1.08%~1.85%;雌鱼性腺成熟系数为0~10.04%,而雄鱼则为0~2.27%。以Keys氏公式W=aLb,拟合25月龄养殖大黄鱼的体长(L)与体质量(W)的关系式为:W=0.0195 L 2.9775(R2=0.9959),其中b≈3,即此生长阶段的网箱养殖大黄鱼生长均匀,为等速生长类型;体质量生长呈幂函数生长,其回归方程为:y=1.8617x1.8099(R2=0.9931)。体长Y(cm)与养殖时间X(月龄)的生长呈二次多项式关系,其回归方程为:y=?0.0259x2+1.7125x+4.1534(R2=0.989)。     

Reproductive traits of sandbird octopus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphioctopus aegina</Emphasis> (Gray, 1849) from Mandapam coastal waters (Palk Bay), Southeast Coast of India

The sandbird octopus Amphioctopus aegina (Gray, 1849) is one of the important octopod species in trawl catches in Mandapam waters (Palk Bay). The reproductive biology of this species from these waters was studied from October 2001 to September 2002. In the majority of months(Jan–June), the sex ratio was biased towards males. The ratios of males to females increased consistently with respect to weight Total weight at first maturity were 78.78g for females and 40.8 g for males. Four maturity stags were recognized for females and two for males. Maturation and spawning occur all year round, with a peak during October and another peak during January–February. In males, no definite seasonal changes were observed in gonadosomatic index (GSI) values. In females there were two peaks in GSI values during October and January–February. For individuals of a DML range of 67–85 mm fecundity varied between 2,962–8,820 oocytes. The average relative fecundity was estimated at 68 to 83 and the average number oocytes per gram of ovary were 488 to 539.     

Estimates on age,growth,and mortality of Gymnocypris firmispinatus(Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) in the Anning River,China

The age, growth, and mortality of Gymnocypris firmispinatus were studied by 582 individuals that collected between July 2015 and June 2016 from the tributaries of the Anning River, China. The total length (TL) ranged from 27 mm to 242 mm, total weight (W) ranged from 0.2 g to 148.2 g. The relationship of total length and weight was expressed as W =7.754×10^-6 TL^ 3.304 for the total samples. The age classes of males were 1–9 a, and that of females were 1–13 a. The von Bertalanff y functions based on otolith readings and observed length data were L t ♂=198.6(1–e^-0.094 ( t +3.497)), and L t ♀=289.3(1–e^-0.089 ( t +1.109)). The total mortality ( Z ) of male and female G . firmispinatus was estimated as 0.73/a and 0.40/a, respectively. The natural mortality ( M ) was evaluated as 0.25/a for males and 0.20/a for females, fishing mortality ( F ) was 0.35/a for males and 0.16/a for females. The exploitation ratio of the population was 0.66/a for males and 0.50/a for females. It was concluded that the growth of the fish is relatively slower than other congeneric fishes. The population of G . firmispinatus in the tributaries of the Anning River might be in over-exploitation under the current fishing intensity.     

Etropus crossotus, an annual flatfish species; age and growth of the fringed flounder in South Carolina

Fringed flounder, Etropus crossotus, a small flatfish common along the southeastern coast of the US, were collected along the South Carolina coast in the fall of 1992, and in the North Inlet estuary from August 1992 until July 1994. Standard length was 82% of total length and the relationship between standard length and wet weight showed near-isometric growth with no significant differences between males and females. Dry weight was 21% of wet weight and ash-free dry weight 14% of wet weight with no significant differences between sexes. Daily increments in the sagittal otoliths were used for age determination. No annual structures could be identified. The maximum age was about 14.5 months. Age-at-length was not different between the sexes. The relationship between age and length was exponential, with age (in days) equalling an e power of 4.242 + 0.135 × standard length (in cm). Back-calculated hatch dates and catches of early juveniles indicated a spawning season that lasted from March to October. Females started to be sexually mature at 7 to 7.5 cm standard length, but 50% maturity was reached at 8 to 8.5 cm. Females could grow to that size within one spawning season. Individuals hatched early in the spawning season could produce eggs in the latter portion of that season's spawning period.     

Reproductive cycle and minimal length at sexual maturity of Engraulis encrasicolus (L.) in the Zrmanja River estuary (Adriatic Sea, Croatia)

The reproductive cycle of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (L.), was studied from monthly random samples of purse seine catches. A total of 1477 anchovy specimens were collected from January to December 2003 in the Zrmanja River estuary (Novigrad Sea). The analysis was based on the temporal evolution of gonadosomatic index, mass and stage of gonads. The total length of anchovy ranged from 4.5 to 14.5 cm and mass from 0.56 to 19.80 g. Sex ratio was slightly different from 1:1; the females were insignificantly predominated (♂/♀ = 0.99). The period of reproductive activity was from April to September coinciding with the most developed stages of gonads as well as with the highest gonad weights, and gonadosomatic indices. To estimate the length at maturity, a sub sample of 454 anchovy was taken from May to July (peak of anchovy spawning period). The length at which 50% of anchovy were mature (L₅₀) was calculated to be 8.2 cm. The length–weight relationship of anchovy was described by the expression: W = 3.51 × 10⁻³ L_T^3.211 (r² = 0.998). The relationships between total length–standard length and total length–fork length are L_T = 1.1405L_S + 0.2420 and L_T = 1.0425 L_F + 0.3944, respectively.     

毛里塔尼亚外海乌贼成熟个体的体征研究

体征表征动物个体的健康状况,影响个体的体型及其生殖价值。乌贼(Sepia officinalis)营终生一次繁殖产卵,但性腺发育成熟个体的体征变化过程尚未可知。为此,本研究利用残差指标分析方法,对毛里塔尼亚外海分布的乌贼成熟个体的体征及其与体型、摄食强度关系进行了分析研究。结果显示,乌贼雌性成熟个体胴长范围为138～323mm,雄性成熟个体胴长范围为135～343mm;两者胴长呈单峰值区间分布,体质量与胴长呈显著的幂函数关系,幂函数拟合b值小于3。雌性、雄性成熟个体的体征存在一定的波动变化但不显著,在功能性成熟产卵期仍保持较好状态。同时,体征与胴长没有显著的函数关系,但是与胃饱满度密切相关,胃饱满度越高、体征越好;并且雌性、雄性成熟个体的空胃率比较低,在14%～34%之间。结果表明,毛里塔尼亚外海乌贼成熟个体保持个体生长,通过正常的摄食活动保持较好的体征。     

The life history of the giant octopus Octopus magnificus in South African waters

Octopus magnificus is a regular bycatch of traps set for spiny lobsters and bottom trawls for Cape hakes Merluccius spp. on the continental shelf of South Africa. Octopuses were collected from rocky substrata (traps) and soft sediments (research trawls) during a three-year period (2002–2005) and over a wide geographical and depth range to investigate their basic biological and life-history characteristics. Octopuses collected from trawl nets were smaller than those from traps. Males from traps and trawl nets were larger than females, with males being more frequently caught in traps than females. Size distributions were seasonally cyclical, increasing from a small mean size in the austral winter to a peak in summer, and receding during autumn. No mature females were found on soft sediments. The female gonadosomatic index peaked during summer, and sperm were found in oviducts year-round. Males reached 50% maturity at a weight of 4.6kg compared with 5.8kg in females. Mature females produced up to 10 000 medium-to-large (4–9mm maximum length) eggs, and potential fecundity was positively related to female body and ovary weight. Feeding rates were highest in trap-caught octopuses and gut contents consisted mainly of bait, spiny lobsters and teleosts (mainly jacopever Helicolenus dactylopterus). The gut contents of trawl-caught octopuses consisted mainly of crustaceans (84%), mostly portunid crabs but no spiny lobsters, teleosts (15%) and molluscs (1%). The results suggest that O. magnificus has a short (c. 1 year) lifespan, with winter/spring recruitment, a summer spawning peak, and post-spawning mortality in autumn. Alternatively, the species may have a longer lifespan with seasonal migrations between rocky and soft substrata.     

汕头—台湾浅滩渔场中国枪乌贼形态学初步分析

形态学研究是海洋生物学的基础,对了解渔业资源的群体组成有重要意义.根据2018年7月至2019年6月在汕头—台湾浅滩渔场采获的940尾中国枪乌贼( Uroteuthis chinensis)的形态学数据,对其群体组成、胴长与体质量关系进行了研究;对各形态参数比进行了主成分分析;采用线性、指数、幂函数、Logistic4...     

Sex‐related differences in size,function and regeneration of the major cheliped in the hermit crab Pagurus filholi

Pagurus hermit crabs have a well‐developed right cheliped (major cheliped) and in some species the major cheliped of males is longer than that of females. This paper describes sex‐related differences in major cheliped length and regeneration pattern of the major cheliped in the hermit crab Pagurus filholi. We also examined the function of the major cheliped in male–male competition. Major cheliped length of males was longer than that of females in P. filholi. Males regenerated larger chelipeds than females at the first molt after experimentally induced autotomy. Body size growth in males of the regeneration group was less than that in intact males of the control group while there was no significant difference in body size growth of females between regeneration and control groups. Major cheliped length was included in the best model to explain the outcome of male–male competition and thus sexual selection appears to be a causative factor in the sex‐related difference of the major cheliped length. Sex‐related differences in the regeneration pattern may reflect differences in evolutionary pressures on males for large major chelipeds and females for large body size.     

The reproductive biology of Diplodus argenteus (Sparidae) in the coastal upwelling system of Cabo Frio,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The reproductive biology of the seabream Diplodus argenteus, a dominant coastal fishery species, was investigated over two consecutive seasons (2001–2002) at Cabo Frio, Brazil, a low-latitude upwelling system. The sex ratio was dominated by females (1.4:1.0) and the length-at-50% sexual maturity (females) was 203mm total length. Females were multiple spawners and the reproductive pattern appeared to be digynous protandrous hermaphroditism. Monthly variations in gonadosomatic index and proportion of ripe females indicated that reproductive activity occurred from late winter to summer (August–February), following coastal upwelling.     

Age and growth of the pufferfish Uranostoma richei (Plectognathi: Lagocephalidae) from Lyttelton Harbour

Abstract

The age of pufferfish Uranostoma richei (Freminville) in Lyttelton Harbour, South Island, New Zealand is described from analyses of length‐frequency distributions and growth zones in otoliths. Length‐frequency analysis is adequate only for aging smaller fish. The validity of using growth zones in otoliths is checked by examining the pattern and time of zone formation. Length‐weight relationships are established and growth rates calculated. Compared with males, females grow faster (2.4cm·y^?1; 2.1 for males), attain a larger size (to 18 cm and 120 g; 12 cm and 40 g for males) and live longer (to 7 y; 5 for males).     

不同气候条件下南海西沙海域鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)渔业生物学比较研究

为探讨不同气候条件对鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthisoualaniensis)渔业生物学影响,根据2015年8月(厄尔尼诺年)、2016年8月(拉尼娜发生期)和2017年8月(正常时期)我国灯光罩网船在南海采集的1 970尾鸢乌贼样本,对其胴长、体重、性腺成熟度、胃饱满度、初次性成熟胴长进行了比较研究。结果表明:不同年间鸢乌贼雌雄比例不同, 2017年最高, 2015年次之, 2016年最低;优势胴长组不同,2015年最大, 2017年次之, 2016年最小;优势体重组也不同, 2015年最大, 2017年次之, 2016年最小。协方差分析表明不同年间胴长与体重的关系均不存在性别间显著性差异, 2015、2016和2017年分别最适用线性、幂和指数函数表示;不同年间样本性成熟组成存在差异,雌雄样本性成熟样本分别占对应总数的30.96%和25.40%、46.41%和11.15%、7.35%和28.46%;胃饱满度组成也不同。不同年间初次性成熟胴长不同, 2015、2016和2017年雄性初次性成熟胴长分别为184.12、144.41、132.70 mm;雌性分别为192.66、143.68、188.52 mm。结果表明,不同气候变化引起的海洋环境的变化对鸢乌贼渔业生物学产生影响:温度升高导致鸢乌贼个体减小,性成熟胴长减小,雌雄间的个体差异变大。     

Seasonal methyltin and (3-dimethylsulphonio)propionate concentrations in leaf tissue of Spartina alterniflora of the Great Bay estuary (NH)

Concentrations of total recoverable inorganic tin (TRISn), monomethyltin (MeSn³⁺), dimethyltin (Me₂Sn²⁺), trimethyltin (Me₃Sn⁺) and (3-dimethylsulphonio)propionate (DMSP) were determined in leaves of Spartina alterniflora from three sites in the Great Bay estuary (NH) from 8 May to 15 September 1989. Total methyltin concentration increased from 8·9 ng g⁻¹ (fresh weight) on 8 May to 472 ng g⁻¹ on 23 May, decreased to 52 ng g⁻¹ on 7 June and 16ng g⁻¹ on 20 June, and remained low until the last sample on 18 September. Statistical calculations showed that methyltin concentrations varied significantly with sampling week, but not with site. DMSP concentrations showed very different behaviour. During the same sampling period DMSP concentrations varied only from 7·5 to 26 μmol g⁻¹ (fresh weight). DMSP concentrations varied significantly for site, but not sampling week.     

基于耳石微结构的西北太平洋秋刀鱼(Cololabis saira)年龄与生长研究

根据2014年6月和10-11月在西北太平洋公海采集的168尾秋刀鱼样本,基于耳石微结构并结合基础生物学数据,鉴定了秋刀鱼的日龄,推算了孵化日期,并建立了生长模型和生长率。研究发现:耳石微结构从核心到透明区边缘,轮纹宽度由宽至窄,亮度由暗至明,标记轮多分布在透明区。日龄范围为204~549 d,优势日龄组为231~290 d和381~470 d,日龄最小个体体长207 mm,体质量39 g,日龄最大个体体长291 mm,体质量131 g。孵化日期为2012年12月至2014年4月,孵化高峰期出现在1-3月和8-10月,初步推算秋刀鱼主要分为春生群和秋生群产卵群体。体长和体质量生长模型符合Logistic生长模型。体长平均绝对生长率和相对生长率别为0.224 mm/d和0.000 88,绝对生长率随着日龄增加而减小。体质量平均绝对生长率和相对生长率别为0.293 g/d和0.003 25,最大绝对生长率（0.504 mm/d）和最大相对生长率（0.004 86）出现在351~400 d。     

Biology of the redspotted tonguesole Cynoglossus zanzibarensis (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae) on the Agulhas Bank,South Africa

The biology of the redspotted tonguesole Cynoglossus zanzibarensis, a common African cynoglossid inhabiting the Agulhas Bank, South Africa, is described. Growth studies based on sectioned sagittal otoliths revealed that C. zanzibarensis is relatively fast-growing and long-lived, attaining ages >8 years. Growth in length was rapid in immature fish, fish attaining 56% of their maximum size within their first year. By sexual maturity, fish had attained 28% of their maximum age and 68% of their maximum length. Total length-at-age was best described by the Von Bertalanffy growth model with combined-sex growth described as L_t = 354.78(1?e^{?0.43 (t+1.17)}) mm TL. Sexually dimorphic growth patterns were evident, females attaining larger lengths, but at a slower growth rate than males. Despite the similar mean size of adult fish, the trawl-sampled adult population was dominated by females, with a sex ratio of 1 male:2.4 females. Female C. zanzibarensis mature in their second year of life (275 mm TL), after which they spawn small, pelagic eggs throughout the year. Approximations of the rates of total, natural and fishing mortality were estimated to be 0.62, 0.48 and 0.14 year^?1 respectively.