Reproductive characteristics of the bathyal viviparous fish Cataetyx alleni (Osteichthyes: Bythitidae) from the southeastern Sardinian Sea (central-western Mediterranean) MARIA

Authors

  • Maria Cristina Follesa Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari
  • Cristina Porcu Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari
  • Antonello Mulas Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari
  • Susanna Salvador Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari
  • Angelo Cau Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2011.75n2391

Keywords:

Cataetyx alleni, reproduction, internal fertilization, Sardinian Sea

Abstract


The reproductive biology of the bathyal viviparous fish Cataetyx alleni was described based on 34 specimens (17 females and 17 males) caught during experimental trawl surveys carried out between 800 and 1700 m depth in the southeastern Sardinian Sea (central-western Mediterranean). Males and females were present at similar size intervals. For the first time, the internal fertilization was demonstrated by the finding of free spermatozoa scattered in the ovarian cavity. Based on macroscopic and histological gonad analysis, mature females were found in summer, autumn and winter, suggesting a long reproductive period. Inseminated females were observed only in November and January, in correspondence with the higher maturity of the males. These results suggest a probable reproductive peak with copulation in autumn-winter. Moreover, histological examination demonstrated that the ovaries of this member of the family Bythitidae had a ‘group-synchronous’ pattern. No spermatophores in males and embryos in females were observed in the histological sections analysed.

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Published

2011-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Follesa MC, Porcu C, Mulas A, Salvador S, Cau A. Reproductive characteristics of the bathyal viviparous fish Cataetyx alleni (Osteichthyes: Bythitidae) from the southeastern Sardinian Sea (central-western Mediterranean) MARIA. Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2011Jun.30 [cited 2024Mar.28];75(2):391-7. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1262

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