Diversity and evolution of life histories of gobioid fishes from the viewpoint of heterochrony
Takeshi Kon and Tetsuo Yoshino
Marine and Freshwater Research 53(2) 377 - 402
Abstract
The ontogenies of the gobioid fishes are matched against a framework of
age-based heterochrony and their life-history strategies are discussed on the
basis of published reports. Deceleration was observed in
Leucopsarion, Crystallogobius and
some species of Luciogobius from temperate or cold
waters. Hypomorphosis was observed in Schindleria,
Paedogobius and another species of
Luciogobius, the former two genera maturing at one month
or two after hatching throughout the year in tropical environments.
Acceleration was observed in oxudercines, soft bottom-dwellers in intertidal
areas and mangrove swamps, during larval and juvenile periods. Their
acceleration, based on warm conditions allowing fast metamorphosis, may be an
adaptation allowing immediate recruitment to a littoral life style.
Hypermorphosis was observed in Acanthogobius flavimanus,
which develops more slowly than other congeners. Isomorphosis by acceleration
and hypomorphosis was observed during the larval and juvenile periods in
fluvial Rhinogobius spp.
and Acentrogobius viridipunctatus. This developmental
shift, with truncation of the larval period, seems to be an important event
among gobioid fishes, facilitating their survival in severe environments such
as spates in rivers or on mudflats.
Full text doi:10.1071/MF01117
© CSIRO 2002





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