ABSTRACT
The gonad morphology of a dwarfgoby Eviota susanae was described and compared with other species within the genus. Eviota susanae was found to have a persistent integrated ovotestis form of gonad in which both spermatogenic and oogenic tissue were found interspersed throughout the gonad. This is consistent with previously described species of Eviota, suggesting that gonad morphology is conserved across the genus.
Subject(s)
Gonads/anatomy & histology , Perciformes/anatomy & histology , Animals , Female , MaleABSTRACT
This research investigated the reproductive biology (sex ratio, hermaphroditic pattern, size and age at maturity) of Cephalopholis argus, known locally in Hawaii by its Tahitian name roi. The results suggest that C. argus exhibits monandric protogyny (female gonad differentiation with female to male sex change) with females reaching sexual maturity at 1.2 years (95% c.i.: 0.6, 1.6) and 20.0 cm total length (LT ; 95% c.i.: 19.6, 21.2). The female to male sex ratio was 3.9:1. The average age and LT at sex change was 11.5 years (95% c.i.: 11.1, 12.9) and 39.9 cm (95% c.i.: 39.5, 41.2), respectively. Current information on spawning seasonality of this species is incomplete, but based on the occurrence of spawning capable and actively spawning females, spawning probably takes place from May to October. Evidence of lunar spawning periodicity was found, with an increased proportion of spawning capable and actively spawning females, and an increased female gonado-somatic index during first quarter and full-moon phases. This information fills a valuable information gap in Hawaii and across the species' native range.