Abstract
Achirus mazatlanus is one of the most widely distributed and abundant soles occurring on the Pacific coast of Mexico, yet most of its biological and reproductive characteristics are unknown. Weekly and monthly samples were collected in the Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon (Jalisco, Mexico) from February 2011 to August 2016 to assess the reproductive biology of this species. Observed total sex ratio (F1.00:M1.03) was not significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. Females were, on average, larger than males. The observed monthly gonadosomatic index, percentage of mature gonads, mean oocyte diameter, and ovarian-wall thickness suggest that the species reproduces year-round, with an important reproductive season lasting from April to August. Females were classified as partial spawners with asynchronous oocyte development, and males showed unrestricted spermatogonial testes. The presence of spawned individuals and hydrated oocytes in certain months indicates that the species could be spawning in the lagoon; however, the occurrence of eggs and larvae needs to be demonstrated to ascertain this statement. This was the first time length at sexual maturity was assessed for female (10.84 cm) and male (10.23 cm) A. mazatlanus.
Highlights
Achirus mazatlanus is one of the most widely distributed and abundant soles occurring on the Pacific coast of Mexico, yet most of its biological and reproductive characteristics are unknown
And monthly samples were collected in the Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon (Jalisco, Mexico) from February 2011 to August 2016 to assess the reproductive biology of this species
The observed monthly gonadosomatic index, percentage of mature gonads, mean oocyte diameter, and ovarian-wall thickness suggest that the species reproduces year-round, with an important reproductive season lasting from April to August
Summary
Ciencias Marinas, Vol 45, No 2, 2019 that uses estuarine systems as habitats for nursing and development, and it is distributed from Baja California to Peru (Krupp 1995). Achirus mazatlanus is the most abundant sole in the Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon (Jalisco, Mexico), where it reaches 22 cm in length (González-Sansón et al 2014). The fact that this species is abundant, easy to catch, and continuously present in the system has arisen interest in the use of this species as a bioindicator of pollution in the lagoon (Aguilar-Betancourt et al 2016). Samples were obtained from the Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon, on the southern coast of Jalisco, Mexico (19o11′25′′N, 104o39′53′′W). Las muestras se obtuvieron de la laguna costera de Barra de Navidad, en la costa sur de Jalisco, México (19o11′25′′N, 104o39′53′′W). All statistical analyses were performed using a significance level of 0.05 and STATISTICA v.7.1 (StatSoft 2006)
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