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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2015; 2 (4): 18-22

ISSN 2347-2677 IJFBS 2015; 2 (4): 18-22 Received: 21-04-2015 Accepted: 19-05-2015 Sule Gurkan Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Hydrobiology, Bornova-Izmir/Turkey Burcu Taylan Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Hydrobiology, Bornova-Izmir/Turkey Ertan Taskavak Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Hydrobiology, Bornova-Izmir/Turkey Correspondence: Sule Gurkan Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Hydrobiology, Bornova-Izmir/Turkey

Breeding success of broad-nosed pipefish (Syngnathus

typhle) from coasts of Aegean Sea, Turkey Sule Gurkan, Burcu Taylan, Ertan Taskavak Abstract About knowledge of reproductive success of broad-nosed pipefish, Syngnathus typhle, has not yet determined for the Turkish coasts, Aegean Sea. Three groups of oocyte in the ovaries of females were determined in the present study. In the study, egg diameter in pregnant males was approximately equal in females. Average hydrated oocyte diameters were varied between 0.9 - 2.4 mm (0.9 - 1.4 mm, 1.6 - 1.9 mm and 2.0 - 2.4 mm group). As a result of values that minimal sexual maturity length was 7.0 cm in females and 14.8 cm in males. Based on the collecting information on gonadosomatic index values, adult specimens spawn three times during a year and their reproductive period was between February and October in coasts of Turkey, Aegean Sea. Keywords: Broad-nose pipefish, Syngnathus typhle, Breeding, Oocyte, Reproduction 1. Introduction Pipefish are important fish species of vegetated coastal and estuarine habitats and they exhibits one of the most specialized form [1] of parental care with the female depositing egg in a specialized incubating area either on the abdomen or tail of the male [2, 3]. Because of the fact that Syngnathus typhle sexes are polygamous fish, they can mate multiple times and males can accept oocytes from several mature females [4, 5]. Pipefish are ovoviviparous and all the eggs in male’s brood pouch are usually at the same development stage [5, 6]. There have been some study on breeding ecology of S. typhle in the European seas; however, there have been not enough studies on the coasts of Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. There have been some studies on the reproductive ecology of S. typhle in the European seas. For example, the reproductive season of this species in North Sea is given as May and October [7] in coasts of Swiss between May and August [5, 8]. No knowledge about reproduction periods of broad-nosed pipefish in Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. This study aims to determine reproduction period, sex ratio, gonadosomatic index values and spawning number for all year and the results given here for S. typhle were the first time in the Turkish coasts of Aegean Sea. 2. Materials and Methods We collected the pipefish samples from different localities in Aegean Sea coasts between February 2000 and May 2008. A total of 246 Syngnathus typhle specimens were obtained monthly with beach seine net (mesh size 22,24,26 and 28 mm) by searching the base for 15 minutes in shallow coastal waters at the depths of 0.5-1.5m on the seagrass vegetated locations. For the analysis, all samples fixed in 10% formalin solution. Measuring board was used for total length (TL, cm; tip of rostrum to tip of tail) and a scale having 0.01 g sensitivity was used to weight samples (W, g). Additionally t-test was used for statistical differences of total lengths between sexes [7]. A binocular stereo microscope was also utilized for the figures of hydrated oocytes and post-larvae and pre-larvae. Sexes were identified in all samples, using standard protocols [9]. While males were classified into two groups (with pouch and without pouch) and gonad components of females were examined in microscopic features. Also chisquare test (χ2) was used for statistical differences between sexes. Gonadosomatic index values were calculated from ovary weights of 94 females for monthly. To determine seasonal

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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies

breeding pattern, gonadosomatic index was calculated as GSI (weight of both gonads/ total body weight x100) [10]. 3. Results To our results, a total of 246 specimens (138 female (56.1%) and 108 male (43.9%) were considered for reproduction (Fig. 1, Table I). There was no significantly differences between sexes (χ2= 348.086, p>0.05). Trends of GSI were important for especially females. The highest GSI values in females and males calculated in July (8.52 for ♀, 9.0 for ♂) between 2000 and 2008 (Fig. 2). The numbers of size mature females with hydrated oocytes were observed in January-April-August with July and November (28.6%). Also, frequency of hydrated-oocyte carrying females and pregnant males were increased with increased in the region (Fig.3). Pregnant males were present mostly in May and September (15.4%) but highest peak in October (38.5%). Also, size of females increased from April to August and highest 37.5% in July. Besides, sample size decreased with surface water temperature in winter (December, January and February). For four months (February, March, April and December) immature individuals were not captured in the sampling area.

Fig 1: Frequency of mature males, mature females fish size (%).

Table 1: Total length, Gonadosomatic index values and Sex ratio evaluation in the captured 102 of sexes.

Months N MTL±SD N GSI(%) ±SD ♀:♂ December 11 16.91±2.15 10 0.86±0.29 1:0.5

January 17 14.86±1.75 17 1.03±0.47 1:0.4

February 4 26.28±2.82 4 2.30±0.46 1:0.8 March 1 - 1 - 1:2 April 9 16.54±2.61 7 6.99±6.37 1:0.2 May 2 21.2±2.12 1 - 1:3

June 6 12.77±1.47 2 0.11±0.05 1:1.2 July 7 19.53±5.23 5 9.04±1.80 1:0.0

August 15 16.62±3.34 19 2.66±2.61 1:0.9

September 7 16.19±4.45 7 5.46±4.84 1:0.3 October 32 16.34±4.01 16 1.52±1.59 1:1.3

November 27 17.17±2.87 19 1.35±1.26 1:0.7

TOTAL (Range) 138 (7.0-30.20)

±3.82 108

(0.01-19.76) ±3.82

1:0.8

Months Male (All) Pregnant With pouch N MTL±SD N MTL ±SD N MTL ±SD

December 5 15.30±2.85 - - - -

January 6 14.62±0.78 - - 1 14.30 February 3 21.57±7.87 - - 1 19.00

March 2 15.85±1.20 1 15.00 1 15.00

April 2 16.25±1.77 1 17.50 - - May 6 17.07±3.84 4 16.45±4.70 2 14.3±3.96

June 7 10.51±2.44 - - 1 16.00

August 13 16.45±2.53 1 16.90 - -

September 2 16.75±0.92 2 16.75±0.92 - - October 43 16.58±3.08 5 20.34±2.67 - -

November 19 16.06±2.40 1 19.50 1 19.6

TOTAL (Range) 108

(14.70-30.40) ±3.72

15 (14.80-23.40) ±3.30

7 (14.30- 19.60) ±2.81

Fig 2: GSI values of mature samples

Fig 3: Frequency of hydrated-oocyte carrying females (OCF) pregnant males (PM), and males with empty pouches (MEP).

Total lengths of mature female and male were used to analyze sexual maturity (Table I). As a result of values that minimal sexual maturity length was 7.0 cm in females and 14.8 cm in males. It was showed that mean length of sexes were significantly different (t213 = 2.429, p

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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies

max:147, n:327) in females, 59 ± 57.31 (min:41 max:163, n:487) in pregnant males 53 ± 6.36 (min.50, max:104, n:213) (Fig. 4 and Fig.6). The mean egg diameter was determined as 1.9± 0.28 (min: 1.5, max: 2.3, n: 482) in pregnant males. While average hydrated oocyte diameter was calculated in female as 1.8 mm (min.0.81, max.2.35, n: 642) (Fig. 5). That is, diameter of eggs carried by the males is in accord with its in female. Oocyte diameter varied between 0.9 – 2.4 mm in ovaries of females. The oocyte diameters in female ovaries were grouped as three (0.9 - 1.4 mm, developing 1.6 - 1.9 mm and 2.0 - 2.4 mm hydrated). Thus, spawning times was considered as three.

A

B

C

D

Fig 4: A: Hydrated oocytes of a pregnant male, B-C: larva in pouch of pregnant male D: post larvae

(I) 1.8mm (♀) (II) 2.00 mm (♂)

Fig 5. Hydrated oocytes of a female and a male (Illustrated by Burcu Taylan)

(i) 11,5 mm SL

(ii)14,9 mm SL

Fig 6: Pre larvae (I) and post larvae (II) in male’s pouch.

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4. Discussion The results of this study show that breeding period of S. typhle were occured between 192 February and October in shallow waters, coasts of Aegean Sea. Based on the other studies, S. typhle in North Sea is spawned as March-October [11] in coasts of Swiss between May and 194 August [12]. It is pointed out, latitude, water temperature, food intake and nest resources, Offspring competition etc. are important factors for reproduction period of S. typhle [4, 9, 11, 12,] 13]. Also, sex ratio was determined as 1:0.8 in the study, while it was reported as 1:0.57 [4]. It 197 is pointed out, females are more mobile than males [12]. Generally, S. typhle, is a sex-role reserved pipefish. It reported that males are typically choosier and females compete more intensely than males for access to mates [14, 15]. In addition, female provide eggs to several males for parental care in nature [16]. Sexual maturity length size is important for reproductive rates and sexual size dimorphisms and multiple matings of broad-nosed pipefish population [9]. The length values of specimens were smaller than given by other studies [17, 18]. It was stated that in northern regions which have colder water, sexual maturity mean length was longer length [12]. Maximum total length values were determined as 30.2 cm for female and 30.4 cm for males in the study. However, maximum total length of male examined in colder water as 350 mm by [2]. It pointed out that in Aegean Sea, length value was 258 mm for pooled sexes while it was given as 28.1 cm for coasts of west Mediterranean [15]. Thus, difference length in sexual maturity can be affected from latitude and water temperature [4, 9, 11, 12]. The patterns of sexual difference in potential breeding match between sexes and female competition for mating are significantly clear at lower temperature [12]. The females of S. typhle have potential reproductive rates and multiple mates, so females mate with several males and produce more oocytes than males’ clutch capacity for breeding season [12]. This opinion can support our results. Because of the fact that oocyte diameter varied between 0.9-2.4 mm in ovaries of females on the study. Based on the carrying eggs in male’s pouch, [5] it is accepted that all egg is same developmental phase. It can be predicted that these short-lived fish are said to for more than one year [4] and having multiple mating [12, 20] especially they may mainly focus on reproduction rather than growing. It claimed that mature females usually have mature eggs or developing eggs in their ovaries during the breeding period [11]. In contrast, male size and mating order showed no interaction [19]. In the study, egg diameter in pregnant males was approximately equal in females. In pregnant males, egg/embryo number was maximum 105 [2] while mean values determined as 81.8 and 138 [20]. However, maximum egg diameter reported as 2.0 mm in S. typhle [14]. It reported that difference in number of egg/embryo can be occurred from different carrying capacity of sexes, locality and differences in egg diameters [21]. Because of the fecundity rise with body size in sexes, males prefer larger females having heavier oocytes [20]. Also ıt was reported that the gender size in S. typhle was a marker of egg size in females [13]. The results of study showed that breeding season of S. typhle was between February and October in the Turkish coasts of Aegean Sea, Turkey and spawned three times during whole year. Thus it was also determined that current model of carrying eggs showed that S. typhle to have a protracted mating season in the coasts of Aegean Sea.

5. Acknowledgements The material used in this study was gathered in the frame of the “Fishes and their reproductive periods in Tuzla Lagoon and Urla Coasts of Izmir Bay” project (Project No: 2001 SÜF 003) and “Determination of the Fishes Species in The Coasts of Akmermer Bay (Yenişakran) and Hacıahmetağa Bay (Caltıdere)” project (Project No: 2006 SÜF 017), financially funded by Ege University. We are grateful to the project staff. 6. References 1. Lyons Do, Dunne JJ. Reproductive ecology and

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