Histological observations of seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles in the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra in Okinawan waters.

DOI Web Site 19 Citations 21 References
  • LEE YOUNG DON
    Marine Research Institute, Cheju National University
  • PARK SUNG HO
    Marine Research Institute, Cheju National University
  • TAKEMURA AKIHIRO
    Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus
  • TAKANO KAZUNORI
    Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus

Search this article

Description

Seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles of the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra inhabiting Okinawan waters were examined by histological observation of ovaries. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased beginning in May and peaked in June. Histological observations revealed that many oocytes laden with yolk were present in the ovaries from May to August. From September to October, ovaries were occupied by immature oocytes. These results suggest that the reproductive season of E. merra lasts for 4 months from May through August in Okinawan waters. When the fish were collected according to the lunar cycle, GSI increased with the approach of the full moon. Oocytes at various development stages were observed from the first quarter to the full moon. Fresh ovulatory follicles were present in the ovaries around the last quarter moon. These results suggest that E. merra has a lunar spawning cycle and spawns between the full moon and the last quarter moon. Ovarian features of the fish collected around the last quarter moon were different among individuals; some fish had many oocytes at the tertiary yolk stage in the ovaries, while the ovaries of the others were occupied by the oocytes at the peri-nucleolus and the oil droplet stages. This observation suggests that a minor release of eggs occurs in this species before or after a major spawning lunar day. Oocytes at the migratory nucleus and the maturation stages were not observed in any ovarian samples. This may mean that maturation of oocytes is related to the spawning behavior of this species and makes rapid progress in the process of aggregation at the spawning sites.

Journal

  • Fisheries science

    Fisheries science 68 (4), 872-877, 2002

    The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science

Citations (19)*help

See more

References(21)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top