Reproduction of fishes of the Verde River, upper Paraná River Basin, Brazil (original) (raw)

Reproductive ecology of Brazilian freshwater fishes

Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2010

We used metadata on nine reproductive traits of 67 species of Brazilian iteroparous, oviparous, teleost freshwater fishes to test phenotypes associations to discriminate species that only spawn in large rivers (lotic fishes) from those capable to spawn in lentic habitats (lentic fishes). We tested the hypothesis that lotic fishes present spawning migration, shorter spawning season, single spawning, no parental care, free eggs, higher relative fecundity, faster embryogenesis, and larger size, while lentic fishes present no spawning migration, longer spawning season, multiple spawning, parental care, adhesive eggs, lower relative fecundity, slower embryogenesis, and smaller size. Our analyses supported the hypothesis but not all phenotypic associations satisfied it, specifically with regard to lentic fishes or to pairs of phenotypes typical of lentic fishes. We also concluded that spawning in large rivers is a better predictor of bionomic characters than spawning in lentic habitats, and lotic fishes are specialists compared to lentic fishes.

Reproductive biology and population parameters of commercially important Characiformes from the Araguari River, state of Amapá, Brazil

Research, Society and Development

The present study aimed to estimate the length-weight relationship, relative condition factor (Kn), gonadosomatic index (GSI) and mean length at first maturity (L50) for 11 fish species serving as a subsidy for fisheries management of the Upper and Middle Araguari River. Samplings were conducted in the 2011-2014 period, with experimental fisheries and landing data; fish were measured (cm), sexed, and total weight (g) and gonad weight (g) were recorded. The length-weight relationship for all species had r2 above 0.76, indicating isometric growth for A. inermis, A. falcatus, Charax sp., L. melanosticus, L. maculatus, S. eingemani. On the other hand, H. aimara, B. cuvieri, M. asterias, M. romboidalis and M. ternetzi showed allometric growth, the first two species with positive growth and the rest, negative. The combination of the relative condition factor (Kn) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was a good indicator of the reproductive period for A. inermis, A. falcatus, B. cuvieri and M...

Reproductive Ecology of Prochilodus brevis an Endemic Fish from the Semiarid Region of Brazil

The Scientific World Journal, 2012

The commercially important migratory fishProchilodus brevisis from the Neotropical region, and understanding the reproductive ecology of this potamodromous fish is essential for its conservation and management. This study investigated the length-mass relationship, sex ratio, length at first gonadal maturity, gonadal development stages, gonadosomatic index, condition factor, and reproductive period ofP. brevis. Temporal distribution of rainfall, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and electrical conductivity of the water were related to the reproductive period of this fish. Rainfall seems to be the main environmental factor which modulates changes in limnological parameters and the timing of the spawning period of this fish.P. brevismigrates into lower reaches of the river to feed during the dry season and returns to the upper reaches during the rainy season to spawn. Inadequate facilities for migration create obstacles for spawning success of this ecologically important...

Defining the reproductive period of freshwater fish species using the Gonadosomatic Index: a proposed protocol applied to ten species of the Patos Lagoon basin

Neotropical Ichthyology

This contribution records the reproductive periods of ten dominant freshwater fish species from the Patos Lagoon and Guaíba Lake (Astyanax fasciatus, Cyphocharax voga, Hoplias malabaricus, Oligosarcus jenynsii, Oligosarcus robustus, Hoplosternum littorale, Loricariichthys anus, Parapimelodus nigribarbis, Trachelyopterus lucenai, Pachyurus bonariensis). Data were derived from monthly samples in Casamento Lake (northern Patos Lagoon; Nov. 2002 to Apr. 2004) and Guaíba Lake (Jun. 2005 to May 2006). The reproductive period was determined according to the monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index (GSI). Fish reproduction was identified during all months of the year. Oligosarcus jenynsii started reproduction in winter, but extended spawning to spring (early warming-water reproduction). Three species also presented reproduction during warming water months, but beginning in spring and finishing in summer (late warm-water reproduction): P. nigribarbis, T. lucenai and P. bonariensis. Three...

Spawning induction and fecundity of commercial native fish species from the São Francisco River basin, Brazil, under hatchery conditions

Agricultural Sciences, 2013

In order to exploit native fish species for aquaculture, basic parameters of artificial reproducetion and estimates of reproductive potential for this fish must be determined to improve hatchery success. We analyze seven Brazilian commercial fish. Spawning was induced using the hypophysation method, with injection of crude carp pituitary extract (CCPE). Characiformes species signaled the spawning time with behavioral alterations (usually circular movements). The time of oocyte extrusion varied from 5.3 ± 0.3 h in Salminus franciscanus to 8.6 ± 0.1 h in Prochilodus argenteus after the second CCPE injection. The greatest diameter of a vitellogenic oocyte was registered for P. argenteus (873.9 ± 122.2 μm) and the smallest was for Pimelodus maculates (465.4 ± 36.3 μm). The diameter of vitellogenic oocytes was very similar among species belonging to the same family. The highest ROI values were registered for Prochilodus costatus(27.0 ± 3.5 μm) and P. argenteus (23.4 ± 3.7 μm), while the lowest values were found in Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (4.6 ± 0.9 μm) and P. maculatus (6.0 ± 1.3 μm). Absolute fecundity (number of oocytes released at spawning) was lowest in P. maculatus and highest in P. corrus-cans. Relative fecundity (RF) presented a high correlation (r = 0.98 to 0.99) with gonad weight, indicating high efficiency of spawning. The RF also presented a high correlation with body weight (r = 0.88 to 0.97) and total length (r = 0.86 to 0.92). The highest RF was registered for Leporinus obtusidens, and the lowest was for P. corruscans. Released fecundity had a negative correlation with the diameter of vitellogenic oocytes and with the height of the follicular cells, and a positive correlation with the thickness of the zona pelucida. These results indicate that the species studied herein are suitable candidates for aquaculture due to their reproductive and zootechnical characteristics.

Spawning induction and fecundity of commercial native fish species from the São Francisco River basin, Brazil, under hatchery conditions

In order to exploit native fish species for aquaculture, basic parameters of artificial reproducetion and estimates of reproductive potential for this fish must be determined to improve hatchery success. We analyze seven Brazilian commercial fish. Spawning was induced using the hypophysation method, with injection of crude carp pituitary extract (CCPE). Characiformes species signaled the spawning time with behavioral alterations (usually circular movements). The time of oocyte extrusion varied from 5.3 ± 0.3 h in Salminus franciscanus to 8.6 ± 0.1 h in Prochilodus argenteus after the second CCPE injection. The greatest diameter of a vitellogenic oocyte was registered for P. argenteus (873.9 ± 122.2 μm) and the smallest was for Pimelodus maculates (465.4 ± 36.3 μm). The diameter of vitellogenic oocytes was very similar among species belonging to the same family. The highest ROI values were registered for Prochilodus costatus(27.0 ± 3.5 μm) and P. argenteus (23.4 ± 3.7 μm), while the lowest values were found in Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (4.6 ± 0.9 μm) and P. maculatus (6.0 ± 1.3 μm). Absolute fecundity (number of oocytes released at spawning) was lowest in P. maculatus and highest in P. corrus-cans. Relative fecundity (RF) presented a high correlation (r = 0.98 to 0.99) with gonad weight, indicating high efficiency of spawning. The RF also presented a high correlation with body weight (r = 0.88 to 0.97) and total length (r = 0.86 to 0.92). The highest RF was registered for Leporinus obtusidens, and the lowest was for P. corruscans. Released fecundity had a negative correlation with the diameter of vitellogenic oocytes and with the height of the follicular cells, and a positive correlation with the thickness of the zona pelucida. These results indicate that the species studied herein are suitable candidates for aquaculture due to their reproductive and zootechnical characteristics.

Population structure and reproductive biology of Astyanax gymnodontus (Characiformes: Characidae), a poorly known endemic fish of the Iguaçu River basin, Brazil

Success in fish breeding depends on reproduction intensity, periodicity and the place where it occurs. Information about fish species reproduction is important to assist managers, and to determine conservation and management strategies. The fish assemblage of the Iguaçu River basin is already known for its high endemism, and despite this privilege, the large number of dams built along it, threat this particular biodiversity. Astyanax gymnodontus is an endemic fish species and studies on its population structure and reproductive biology are important, since they represent the first step for further community studies. Our objective was to evaluate some aspects of the population structure and reproductive biology of A. gymnodontus in the influence area of Salto Santiago dam, Iguaçu River, Paraná State, Brazil. Sampling was made monthly from July 2003 to June 2005, and bimonthly from July 2005 to March 2013, at five sites in the influence area of Salto Santiago dam. Fishes were collected using 10 m length gillnets with meshes ranging from 2.5 to 6.0 cm between non-adjacent knots and trammel nets with inner meshes of 6.0 cm between non-adjacent knots. Nets were arranged on surface, bottom and margins of each site, exposed for 24 h. Additional drags on littoral areas were performed from January to March and October to December from 2009 to 2011, with 50.0 m nets, 0.5 cm mesh size, for juveniles capture. We captured and analyzed 21 932 individuals, being 9 249 females and 12 683 males, representing 42.2 % and 57.8 %, respectively. The average body length was 8.8 cm for females and 8.3 cm for males. The average weight was 18.8 g for females and 16.0 g for males. Sex ratio calculated for the entire period was 1.8 males/female. Males were more abundant than females in 73.2 % of samples and significant differences were observed in 35.3 % of samples. The estimated length at first maturity (SL 50 ) was 6.4 cm for females and 6.2 cm for males. We suggest that sexual differences in body length and weight, and sex ratio occurred as a result of sexual differences in energy allocation. Females spend more energy on body growth, which means more eggs production and higher fecundity. As an integrated response, males spend more energy on sperm production, in competition with other males, leading to a smaller body size. Differences in estimated SL 50 might be an indicator of this sexual difference in energy allocation. The reproduction period was from September to February, with greater intensity at the beginning of this period, and the sites of highest reproductive intensity were those immediate downstream from dams, and therefore with more riverine characteristics. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (1): 69-77. Epub 2016 March 01.

Reproduction of the surubim catfish (Pisces, Pimelodidae) in the São Francisco River, Pirapora Region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The reproductive biology of the surubim, P. coruscans of the São Francisco River, in the Pirapora region was studied from December/98 to November/99. Reproduction occurred between October and January with high frequency of fishes in the advanced ripening/mature and spawned/spent stages along with higher values of the gonadosomatic index. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses indicated that P. coruscans presents total spawning. The reproductive period coincided with highest rainfall and water turbidity values in the region. The smallest male captured had a total length of 63.3cm and the smallest female 92.0cm in total length. The largest male in the maturation stage was recorded to be 97.0cm and the largest female 144.1cm in total length. Surubim were more frequently captured than females, at a proportion of approximately one female to three males. The gonadosomatic, hepatosomatic, stomach repletion, and coelomic fat indexes, as well as the condition factor were related to stages of the reproductive cycle.

Collapse of the reproductive process of two migratory fish (Prochilodus argenteus and Prochilodus costatus) in the Três Marias Reservoir, São Francisco River, Brazil

Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 2011

Generally, migratory fish can complete vitellogenesis even when the migration process is interrupted; however, final oocyte maturation does not occur and therefore there is no spawning. To evaluate the reproductive process of migratory fish inside the reservoir of the Treˆs Marias Dam (a lentic environment), 90 female and 81 male Prochilodus argenteus and 172 female and 115 male Prochilodus costatus were captured in this environment. Males and females from both species in the resting stage were pre-dominant, and the highest frequency of specimens in advanced maturation stages occurred in November, December and January. According to histological analysis, ovarian regression was frequent and vitellogenic oocytes undergoing atresia were intensely observed, moreover, no fish with ovaries and testes with characteristics of spawning and spermiation, respectively, were captured. This indicated that both species were preparing for reproduction and reaching advanced gonad maturation, but were unable to complete the process of reproduction in this environment. The data from this study indicate that the modification of portions of rivers to lentic environments can have a negative impact on the reproductive process of migratory fish in freshwater.

Reproductive strategy of Psectrogaster rhomboides Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889, a freshwater fish from Northeastern Brazil

Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 2013

Several environmental parameters related to the spawning season of the freshwater fish, Psectrogaster rhomboides were identified. The hypothesis predicts synchrony of the spawning season with the rainy period, presenting a seasonal reproductive strategy. This study investigated the total body length and body mass, sex ratio, body size at first sexual maturity, gonadosomatic index, condition factor, fecundity and reproductive period of P. rhomboides in the natural environment. Twelve monthly samplings (mean n = 20) were carried out from March 2009 to February 2010. Fish were captured using 4 cm diameter cast nets and environmental parameters such as rainfall, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and electrical conductivity of the water were registered. The sampled population of P. rhomboides (n = 444) showed a sex ratio of 1 : 1. Females attained first sexual maturity at 15 cm total length and males at 15.3 cm total length. Spawning occurred from March to May, with high gonadosomatic index values during the rainy season. This species is a total spawner, with a mean fecundity of 6188 (AE367) mature oocytes. P. rhomboides presents a seasonal reproductive strategy, providing a population increase and exploitation of the environmental resources during the rainy period. Rainfall (196.5 AE 4.9 mm) and the concentration of dissolved oxygen (7.82 AE 0.7018 mg L À1) were influential factors during the spawning season. Gonadosomatic index and the condition factor were negatively correlated during the gonadal development cycle of this species. The monthly gonadosomatic index values show that spawning begins when the rainy season is at its maximum and ends synchronously (females r = 0.9171; males r = 0.889) with the end of the rainy season.