Growth and reproduction of Xyrichthys novacula (Pisces: Labridae) in the Mediterranean Sea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.1998.62n3193Abstract
Mediterranean razorfish, Xyrichthys novacula, were collected between July and December in a sandy bay of Ponza Island (Central Mediterranean Sea) to investigate the effects of reproduction and growth patterns on sexual inversion processes and haremic territoriality. The minimum body size of males decreased from 17 cm in July to 15 cm (T.L.) in October as a consequence of the sexual inversion after reproduction. Females showed a reproductive peak in August using both the Holden and Rait scale and the gonodosomatic index. The gonads of males were small, on average only 0.14% of total body weight. The proportion of body weight devoted to gonads did not change with male size. This is probably a consequence of the haremic mating system of the species which reduces sperm competition between males. A new coloration phase for females was introduced in addition to the three already described in the literature. Individuals of each age class are characterised by different coloration patterns. This chromatic feature of the species allows dominant males to recognize the age of females and consequently to choose during harem formation the older and larger specimens able to produce a larger number of offspring.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Downloads
Published
1998-09-30
How to Cite
1.
Cardinale M, Colloca F, Ardizzone GD. Growth and reproduction of Xyrichthys novacula (Pisces: Labridae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Sci. mar. [Internet]. 1998Sep.30 [cited 2024Jul.23];62(3):193-201. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/963
Issue
Section
Articles
License
Copyright (c) 1998 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the printed and online versions of this Journal are the property of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International” (CC BY 4.0) License. You may read here the basic information and the legal text of the license. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 License must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the published by the Editor, is not allowed.