Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil
This work aims to analyze reproductive attributes of the species Neoplecostomus microps (Steindachner, 1877), a well-known species of the catfish family Loricariidae but little contemplated in ecological studies. We describe the reproductive behavior of the species and compare the patterns identifie...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Inter-Research
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Aquatic Biology |
| Online Access: | https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/ab/v28/p45-53/ |
| _version_ | 1818590871518445568 |
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| author | Carvalho Alves, Vd Brito, MFG Caramaschi, EP |
| author_facet | Carvalho Alves, Vd Brito, MFG Caramaschi, EP |
| author_sort | Carvalho Alves, Vd |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This work aims to analyze reproductive attributes of the species Neoplecostomus microps (Steindachner, 1877), a well-known species of the catfish family Loricariidae but little contemplated in ecological studies. We describe the reproductive behavior of the species and compare the patterns identified in 2 different basins. The specimens (117 males and 102 females), collected in the Macaé River, did not present a bias in sex ratio during the year. In the largest length classes, males predominated and attained earlier maturity than females. The length-weight relationship showed positive allometric growth for both sexes. The variation of the gonadosomatic index and frequency of maturation stages indicated a reproductive period of 4 to 6 mo, starting in September and reaching a peak in November. The mean absolute fecundity was 43.83 (SD = 7.62) oocytes, ranging from 32 to 55 oocytes. The frequency distribution of oocyte diameter of mature ovaries revealed 3 clutches, suggesting batch spawning. A prolonged reproductive period, low fecundity, large eggs, possible parental care, and repeated spawns recorded for N. microps suggest a strategy that maximizes parental fitness. The population structure and reproductive characteristics of this species indicate a tendency toward equilibrium. The early maturation in females in the Macaé River population may favor a more rapid replacement of juveniles in the population as a response to the unstable environmental conditions that the population experiences in the rainy season. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T10:03:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83bf4c996047412a93a4e5a7aed4d880 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1864-7782 1864-7790 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T10:03:26Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | Inter-Research |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aquatic Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-83bf4c996047412a93a4e5a7aed4d8802022-12-21T22:35:43ZengInter-ResearchAquatic Biology1864-77821864-77902019-05-0128455310.3354/ab00706Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern BrazilCarvalho Alves, VdBrito, MFGCaramaschi, EPThis work aims to analyze reproductive attributes of the species Neoplecostomus microps (Steindachner, 1877), a well-known species of the catfish family Loricariidae but little contemplated in ecological studies. We describe the reproductive behavior of the species and compare the patterns identified in 2 different basins. The specimens (117 males and 102 females), collected in the Macaé River, did not present a bias in sex ratio during the year. In the largest length classes, males predominated and attained earlier maturity than females. The length-weight relationship showed positive allometric growth for both sexes. The variation of the gonadosomatic index and frequency of maturation stages indicated a reproductive period of 4 to 6 mo, starting in September and reaching a peak in November. The mean absolute fecundity was 43.83 (SD = 7.62) oocytes, ranging from 32 to 55 oocytes. The frequency distribution of oocyte diameter of mature ovaries revealed 3 clutches, suggesting batch spawning. A prolonged reproductive period, low fecundity, large eggs, possible parental care, and repeated spawns recorded for N. microps suggest a strategy that maximizes parental fitness. The population structure and reproductive characteristics of this species indicate a tendency toward equilibrium. The early maturation in females in the Macaé River population may favor a more rapid replacement of juveniles in the population as a response to the unstable environmental conditions that the population experiences in the rainy season.https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/ab/v28/p45-53/ |
| spellingShingle | Carvalho Alves, Vd Brito, MFG Caramaschi, EP Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil Aquatic Biology |
| title | Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil |
| title_full | Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil |
| title_short | Reproductive biology of the armored catfish Neoplecostomus microps in a coastal Atlantic Forest stream, southeastern Brazil |
| title_sort | reproductive biology of the armored catfish neoplecostomus microps in a coastal atlantic forest stream southeastern brazil |
| url | https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/ab/v28/p45-53/ |
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