Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reproductive characteristics of the orbiculate cardinalfish Sphaeramia orbicularis in the Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia

  • Original Article
  • Biology
  • Published:
Fisheries Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of the reproductive characteristics of fish in tropical areas is currently lacking. We have performed a histological study of the reproductive aspects of Sphaeramia orbicularis, a tropical fish found on the Weno Islands of the Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia, and further estimated the gonadosomatic indices (GSI) of this fish. The sex ratio was approximately 1:1. The standard length of males and females at 50% maturity was 49.0 and 46.9 mm, respectively. Histological observation of S. orbicularis ovaries and testes revealed that the fish exhibits multiple spawner characteristics, including coexistence of primary yolk stages, migratory nucleus or mature stages, and asynchronism of the spermatogenesis process. Monthly variations in the GSI and gonadal maturity stages demonstrated that reproductive activity occurs throughout the year. The findings in this study provide important information on the spawning activity and season of S. orbicularis in Micronesia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hilder ML, Pankhurst NM (2003) Evidence that temperature change cues reproductive developmental in the spiny damselfish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Environ Biol Fish 66:187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Tyler WA, Stanton FG (1995) Potential influence of food abundance on spawning patterns in a damselfish, Abudefduf abdominalis. Bull Mar Sci 57:610–623

    Google Scholar 

  3. Srinivasan M, Jones GP (2006) Extended breeding and recruitment periods of fishes on a low latitude coral reef. Coral Reefs 25:673–682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Robertson DR, Peterson CE, Brawn JD (1990) Lunar reproductive cycles of benthic-brooding reef fishes: reflection of larval biology or adult biology? Ecol Monogr 60:311–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Robertson DR (1991) The role of adult biology in the timing of spawning of tropical reef fishes. In: Sale PF (ed) The ecology of coral reef fishes. Academic Press, New York, pp 356–386

    Google Scholar 

  6. Thresher RE (1984) Reproduction of reef fishes. TFH Publ, Neptune City

    Google Scholar 

  7. Nelson JS (1994) Fishes of the world, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  8. Thacker CE, Roje DM (2009) Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei; Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence. Mol Phylogenet Evol 52:735–745

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bellwood DR, Wainwright PC (2002) The history and biogeography of fishes on coral reefs. In: Sale PF (ed) Coral reef fishes: dynamics and diversity in a complex ecosystem. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 33–55

    Google Scholar 

  10. Blumer LS (1982) A bibliography and categorization of bony fishes exhibiting parental care. Zool J Linn Soc 76:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Allen GR (1972) Observation on a commensal relationship between Siphamia fuscolineata (Apogonidae) and the crown-of-thorns starfish. Acanthaster planci. Copeia 1972:595–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Okuda N, Ohnishi N (2001) Nocturnal hatching timing of mouthbrooding male cardinalfish Apogon niger. Ichthyol Res 48:207–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Vagelli AA, Volpedo AV (2004) Reproductive ecology of Pterapogon kauderni, an endemic apogonid from Indonesia with direct development. Environ Biol Fish 70:235–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Johannes RE (1978) Reproductive strategies of coastal marine fishes in tropics. Environ Biol Fish 3:65–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Allen GR (1975) The biology and taxonomy of the cardinalfish, Sphaermia orbicularis (Pisces; Apogonidae). J Roy Soc West Aust 58:86–92

    Google Scholar 

  16. Shao K-T, Chen J-P (1986) Ten new records of cardinalfishes from Taiwan, with synopsis of the family Apogonidae. J Taiwan Mus 39:61–104

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mees J, Mwamsojo GU, Wakwabi EO (1998) Aspects of the biology and feeding ecology of the orbiculate cardinalfish Sphaeramia orbicularis (CUVIER, 1828) (TELEOSTEL: APOGONIDAE) in a KENYAN mangrove forest. Biol Jaarb Dodonaea 66:134–145

    Google Scholar 

  18. García del Moral R (1993) Técnicas de laboratorio de anatomĺa patólogica. Interamericana-McGraw Hill, Madrid, Spain, pp 405–425

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yamamoto A, Yamazaki F (1961) Rhythm of development in the oocyte of the gold fish, Carassius auratus. Bull Fac Fish Hokkaido Univ 12:93–110

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kume G, Yamaguchi A, Aoki I, Taniuchi T (2000) Reproductive biology of the cardinalfish Apogon lineatus in Tokyo Bay, Japan. Fish Sci 66:947–954

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Yoneda M, Futagawa K, Tokimura M, Horikawa Matsuura H, Matsuyama SM (2002) Reproductive cycle, spawning frequency and batch fecundity of the female whitefin jack Kaiwarinus equula in the East China Sea. Fish Res 57:297–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Nielson LA, Johnson DL (1983) Fisheries techniques. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda

    Google Scholar 

  23. Reay PJ (1989) Reproductive tactics: a non-event in aquaculture? In: Potts GW, Wooton MN (eds) Fish reproduction: strategies and tactics. Academic Press, London, pp 291–309

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kvarnemo C, Ahbnesjö I (1996) The dynamics of operational sex ratios and competition for mates. Trends Ecol Evol 11:404–408

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Okuda N, Yanagisawa Y (1996) Filial cannibalism in a paternal mouthbrooding fish in relation to mate availability. Anim Behav 52:307–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Okuda N (2000) Interspecific differences in male cannibalistic behavior between two sympatric cardinalfishes (Pisces: Apogonidae). J Ethol 18:5–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hunter JR, Goldberg SR (1980) Spawning incidence and batch fecundity in northern anchovy Engraulis mordax. Fish Bull 77:641–652

    Google Scholar 

  28. Takemura A, Rahman SMD, Nakamura S, Park YJ, Takano K (2004) Lunar cycles and reproductive activity in reef fishes with particular attention to rabbitfishes. Fish Fish 5:317–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Doherty PJ (1983) Diel, lunar and seasonal rhythms in the reproduction of two tropical damselfishes: Pomacentrus flavicauda and P. wardi. Mar Biol 75:215–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Foster SA (1987) Diel and lunar patterns of reproduction in the Caribbean and Pacific sergeant major damselfishes Abudefduf saxatilis and A. troschelii. Mar Biol 95:215–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Collin PL, Shapiro DY, Weiler D (1987) Aspects of the reproductive of two groupers, Epinephelus guttatus and E. striatus in the West Indies. Bull Mar Sci 40:220–230

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ferreira BP (1995) Reproduction of the common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (Serranidae: Epinephelinae) from the central and northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bull Mar Sci 56:653–669

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of the Korea-South Pacific Ocean Research Center for their help in collecting samples. We are also grateful to the Chuuk State Government for their cooperation in the study process and their kind support. This study was supported by KORDI (PE98785) and by research grants from the MLTM, Republic of Korea (PE56642 and PE56560).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI), Ansan, P.O. Box 29, Seoul, 426-744, Republic of Korea

    Young-Ung Choi, Heung-Sik Park & Soo-Jin Heo

Authors
  1. Young-Ung Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heung-Sik Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Soo-Jin Heo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heung-Sik Park.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Choi, YU., Park, HS. & Heo, SJ. Reproductive characteristics of the orbiculate cardinalfish Sphaeramia orbicularis in the Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia. Fish Sci 78, 515–523 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0473-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0473-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation