Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait
Blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) is an economically valuable species that inhabits the central Taiwan Strait. However, despite the implementation of a local management scheme involving a closed season between 1 May and 1 June, the annual catch has rapidly decreased over the decades. Thus, the eff...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1217897/full |
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| author | Li Chi Cheng Yang Chi Lan Kuo Wei Lan Jinn Shing Weng Yu Kai Chen Sheng Tai Hsiao Yi Sui Wu Jia Shin He Hsing Han Huang Yu Cih Huang Hung An Cheng |
| author_facet | Li Chi Cheng Yang Chi Lan Kuo Wei Lan Jinn Shing Weng Yu Kai Chen Sheng Tai Hsiao Yi Sui Wu Jia Shin He Hsing Han Huang Yu Cih Huang Hung An Cheng |
| author_sort | Li Chi Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) is an economically valuable species that inhabits the central Taiwan Strait. However, despite the implementation of a local management scheme involving a closed season between 1 May and 1 June, the annual catch has rapidly decreased over the decades. Thus, the efficacy of the implemented regulations must be investigated. This study sought to clarify the reproductive biology, spawning ground, and behavior of this species in the waters of Penghu. In total, 6,549 specimens were collected between March 2021 and September 2022. Considering gonadosomatic index, group maturity, and oocyte diameter, we found that the spawning season (March–September) peaked in April; new cohorts were distinctly recruited after the spawning peak. The distribution of the spawning ground (latitude, 23°41′N to 23°43′N; longitude, 119°32′E to 119°39′E) was determined by considering the fishing area of mature females and DNA analysis of adhered eggs. We further noted shoals of fish darting in the bottom water without clear schooling movement, females’ abdomen frequently contacting substrata for eggs able to attach on during oviposition, and males releasing sperms making water milky white; these indicate that S. gracilis exhibits promiscuous spawning behavior. Our findings may facilitate the management and conservation of S. gracilis in this region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T21:27:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4013459aa7664e3f85d22881d76ceae6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T21:27:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-4013459aa7664e3f85d22881d76ceae62023-07-28T03:06:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452023-07-011010.3389/fmars.2023.12178971217897Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan StraitLi Chi Cheng0Yang Chi Lan1Kuo Wei Lan2Jinn Shing Weng3Yu Kai Chen4Sheng Tai Hsiao5Yi Sui Wu6Jia Shin He7Hsing Han Huang8Yu Cih Huang9Hung An Cheng10Coastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanDepartment of Environment Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanMarine Fisheries Division, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Keelung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanCoastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanDepartment of Environment Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, TaiwanAgriculture and Fishery Bureau Penghu County Government, Magong, TaiwanBlue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) is an economically valuable species that inhabits the central Taiwan Strait. However, despite the implementation of a local management scheme involving a closed season between 1 May and 1 June, the annual catch has rapidly decreased over the decades. Thus, the efficacy of the implemented regulations must be investigated. This study sought to clarify the reproductive biology, spawning ground, and behavior of this species in the waters of Penghu. In total, 6,549 specimens were collected between March 2021 and September 2022. Considering gonadosomatic index, group maturity, and oocyte diameter, we found that the spawning season (March–September) peaked in April; new cohorts were distinctly recruited after the spawning peak. The distribution of the spawning ground (latitude, 23°41′N to 23°43′N; longitude, 119°32′E to 119°39′E) was determined by considering the fishing area of mature females and DNA analysis of adhered eggs. We further noted shoals of fish darting in the bottom water without clear schooling movement, females’ abdomen frequently contacting substrata for eggs able to attach on during oviposition, and males releasing sperms making water milky white; these indicate that S. gracilis exhibits promiscuous spawning behavior. Our findings may facilitate the management and conservation of S. gracilis in this region.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1217897/fullreproductive biologyspawning seasonspawning groundspawning behaviorfishery management |
| spellingShingle | Li Chi Cheng Yang Chi Lan Kuo Wei Lan Jinn Shing Weng Yu Kai Chen Sheng Tai Hsiao Yi Sui Wu Jia Shin He Hsing Han Huang Yu Cih Huang Hung An Cheng Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait Frontiers in Marine Science reproductive biology spawning season spawning ground spawning behavior fishery management |
| title | Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait |
| title_full | Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait |
| title_fullStr | Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait |
| title_short | Spawning characteristics of blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) in the waters of Penghu, central Taiwan Strait |
| title_sort | spawning characteristics of blue sprat spratelloides gracilis in the waters of penghu central taiwan strait |
| topic | reproductive biology spawning season spawning ground spawning behavior fishery management |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1217897/full |
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