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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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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies
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.
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