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Life history traits of the sand stargazer Dactyloscopus tridigitatus (Teleostei: Blennioidei) from south-eastern Brazilian coast
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 December 2011
Abstract
Individuals of the sand stargazer Dactyloscopus tridigitatus were collected monthly over a period of one year in an urban-sandy beach in south-eastern Brazil. We sampled 57 males, 64 females, and 6 juveniles, indicating a sex-ratio of approximately 1:1. Total length and weight did not differ significantly between sexes, showing no sexual dimorphism in size. The growth of D. tridigitatus was highly positive allometric and the correlation coefficient was significant for both sexes. Males were observed carrying two egg clumps under each enlarged pectoral fin during most of the year. In contrast, females showed a more restricted reproductive period, concentrated during the austral rainy season. The number of eggs in each clump carried by males did not differ significantly from the number of vitellogenic oocytes of mature females. The number of eggs carried by males was weakly correlated to male total length; however, female fecundity was strongly correlated to female total length. Dactyloscopus tridigitatus consumed a high variety of prey items, including crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, teleosts, insects and eggs. Isopods were the most important component of the diet followed by polychaetes and amphipods. We concluded that promiscuous breeding, paternal care behaviour and invertivorous feeding habits seem to be important traits for the species' success in the studied habitat.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 93 , Special Issue 2: Fish and Fisheries , March 2013 , pp. 397 - 403
- Copyright
- Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011
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