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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 59(10)

Characterisation of post-larval to juvenile stages, metamorphosis and recruitment of an amphidromous goby, Sicyopterus lagocephalus (Pallas) (Teleostei : Gobiidae : Sicydiinae)

P. Keith A D , T. B. Hoareau B , C. Lord A , O. Ah-Yane C , G. Gimonneau C , T. Robinet A and P. Valade C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, DMPA, Ichtyologie, UMR 5178, CP026, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France.

B Laboratoire d’Ecologie Marine, Université de La Réunion, 97715 Saint-Denis mes. cedex 9, La Réunion, France.

C ARDA, route forestière de l’étang du Gol, 97427 Etang Salé, La Réunion, France.

D Corresponding author. Email: keith@mnhn.fr

Marine and Freshwater Research 59(10) 876-889 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08116
Submitted: 10 April 2008  Accepted: 6 July 2008   Published: 27 October 2008

Abstract

Sicyopterus lagocephalus post-larvae migrating in Mascarene Archipelago rivers, La Réunion Island, provide an important food source to local populations and fishing activity has a socioeconomic impact. Improved knowledge of the life traits and the characterisation of post-larval stages should enable a better understanding of physiological changes triggering migratory behaviour. It would also help to explain the recruitment processes to managers and to implement conservation measures for stock management. Sicyopterus lagocephalus is an amphidromous fish: adults live in rivers, but larvae are carried to the sea after hatching. The present study characterised the metamorphosis and post-larval stages of Sicyopterus lagocephalus during river recolonisation on La Réunion Island. The results show that cranium reorganisation and pectoral fins transformation are part of the first and major transformations and are completed less than 2 weeks after freshwater colonisation (post-larval stages PL1 and PL2). These transformations, mobilising all the available calcium, seem to be critical for survival in their new environment. Individuals then progressively acquire pigmentation, complete scalation and the fork at the end of the caudal fin disappears (juvenile stages J1 and J2). The end of the recruitment phase takes place 21 to 28 days after entering the river mouth, when territorial behaviour appears.

Additional keywords: post-larval stages, settlement.


Acknowledgements

We thank P. Bosc and the staff of ARDA (Association Réunionaise pour le Développement de l’Aquaculture) for the help during fisheries and experiments, and the Provincial and Territorial authorities of Réunion Island and New Caledonia for facilitating the research on Sicyopterus species (permit 1224.08/PPS). Thanks to Dr C. Ellien for helpful discussions. We are also grateful to Dr A. Boulton, Dr N. Yamasaki and one anonymous referee for comments on the manuscript.


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