Laboratory spawning cues in Menidia beryllina, and M. peninsulae (Pisces, Atherinidae) with notes on survival and growth of larvae at different salinities

Abstract

Spawning patterns of inland silversides, Menidia beryllina, and tidewater silversides, Menidia peninsulae, were examined in the laboratory under several combinations of ‘tidal’ and diel light cycle cues. M. beryllina showed a high frequency of spawning throughout the day when held under constant conditions (24L: OD, current velocity 8 cm sec−1) and when ‘tidal’ and diel light cycles were presented singly or in combination. In contrast, M. peninsulae demonstrated a high frequency of spawning only when presented a combination of ‘tidal’ and diel light cycle cues and spawned predominantly at night. Menidia beryllina embryos were euryhaline. Hatching ranged from 73 to 78% at salinities of 5,15 and 30‰ M. peninsulae embryos showed an inverse relationship between the percentage hatch and the incubation salinity, 90% at 5‰ and only 65% at 30‰ Survival and growth of larval M. beryllina from the day of hatching through 16 days old was optimal at 15‰ Although survival of M. peninsulae larvae was optimal at 30%, no trend was apparent in growth of larvae held for 16 days at 5, 15 or 30‰ salinity.