Determination of Reproductive Period and Sex Inversion Pagellus bogaraveo (Sparidae) in Syrian Marine Waters
Waad George Sabour1* and Mai Mostafa Masri2
1Department of Zoology, Tishreen University, Syria
2Department fish biology and biodiversity, Tishreen University, Syria
Submission:April 15, 2024;Published:May 03, 2024
*Correspondence author: Waad George Sabour, Department of Zoology, Tishreen University, Syria
How to cite this article:Waad George S, Mai Mostafa M. Determination of Reproductive Period and Sex Inversion Pagellus bogaraveo (Sparidae) in Syrian Marine Waters. Oceanogr Fish Open Access J. 2024; 17(3): 555963. DOI: 10.19080/OFOAJ.2024.17.555963
Abstract
This study was carried out on /306/ individual fish of Pagellus bogaraveo, which were caught from the Syrian marine waters, with the various fishing methods used locally at a depth of up to 300 m, from May 2020 to May 2021 to identify of evolution stages of maturation sexual (morphological and Histological), and determine the period and the peak of sexual maturity. The results showed that fish species P. bogaraveo begin to reach sexual maturity from the beginning of February and extend until May, with a single peak of sexual maturity in March, where the highest average value of the gonado-somatic index (GSI%) was (2.45 ± 0.43) % for the males and (3.46 ± 0.33) % for female. The results of the morphological and histological study of the stages of development of maturity of male and female gonads agreed with the breeding season of this fish species, and some of individuals appeared in the stage of sex inversion of the Protandry type.
Keywords: Biodiversity; Ichthyofauna; Taxonomy; Karbi Anglong; Assam; Eastern Himalaya; Hotspot; Rivers
Introduction
Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768) belongs to the economically important Sparidae family. It is one of the migratory species from the Atlantic Ocean [1-8] and was recorded for the first time in February 2019 in the Syrian marine waters [9].
The blackspot seabream (P. bogaraveo) is an important in the commercial fisheries of the Eastern Mediterranean. Specifically, in the Eastern Ionian and Aegean Sea it is fished by both recreational and commercial fisheries [10]. A study assessing the response of marine populations exploiting the Strait of Gibraltar indicates that there is growing concern about the decline of fisheries and potential deterioration due to climate change [11].
It was found that few works have been published on the reproductive biology [12,13] and length-weight relationship of P. bogaraveo in the Mediterranean Sea [5,14,15]. In addition to a recent study on Some Aspects of the biology of P. bogaraveo in Umm al-Rizam Coast, Eastern Libya [16].
Later, it became present in large quantities in commercial catches throughout the year, this is evidence that this the western part of the Mediterranean to the far eastern part of it this species have started to establish a population and its threat to local fish stocks and its competition for food and habitat. Therefore, it was necessary to conduct a biological study to determine the reproductive period for this species, because no detailed study has been conducted on the reproductive biology of this species in its original habitat. Hence the importance of this study regarding this species migrating to Syrian marine waters.
Material and Methods
Specimens of P. bogaraveo were caught from the Syrian marine waters (Raas Al-Bassit, Lattakia, Jableh, and Tartus) (Figure 1), with the various fishing methods used locally (gill nets, trawl nets) at a depth of up to 300 m, from May 2020 to May 2021.
A total of 306 individuals were sampled. For each fish, total length (TL) and standard length (SL) were measured to the nearest mm, and total body weight (TW), eviscerated body weight (EW), and gonad weight (GW) were weighed to the nearest 0.01 g. Spawning period was determined by measuring monthly changes in gonado-somatic indices, gonad weight and maturity stage fluctuations. (GSI) was calculated by expressing gonad weight (Gw) as a percentage of total body weight (Tw): Gw ×100 / Tw [17]. In order to confirm the assignment of the macroscopic maturity stage, a histological analysis was requested. After the photo of the fresh gonad was taken, a piece of its central part of the fresh gonad was stored according to different protocols.
![Click here to view Large Figure 1](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G001.png)
For the histological maturity staging of ovaries and testes, the applied technique is described in [18]:
a) Fixate in 10 percent buffered formalin
b) Dehydrate in graded alcohols.
c) Embed in paraffin.
d) Cut into 5 μm transverse sections.
e) Stain with haematoxylin/eosin (H and E).
f) Observe under a light microscope equipped with a Canon EOS at different magnifications (40x, 100x, 400x).
Fish having only male or female gonads were determined to be male or female, and fish having both gonads (gonotestis) were determined to be hermaphrodites, and the stages of sexual maturity were classified based on the gonadal development criteria described by [19], then modified to include immature stages I and II, mature stages III and IV, ripe and spawning stages V, VI.
![Click here to view Large Table 1](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.T001.png)
Results and Discussion
Maturity stages
Based on the macroscopic observations of the gonads and their maturity degree, the gonads were classified into Sex stages according to [19], (Table 1), (Figure 2):
![Click here to view Large Figure 2](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G002.png)
Different stages in the histological evolution of Ovary and Testis in Pagellus bogaraveo: (Tables 2 & 3) (Figures 3 &4).
![Click here to view Large Table 2](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.T002.png)
![Click here to view Large Table 3](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.T003.png)
![Click here to view Large Figure 3](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G003.png)
![Click here to view Large Figure 4](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G004.png)
![Click here to view Large Figure 5](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G005.png)
Sex Inversion
The individuals of this species are characterized by the phenomenon of sex reversal. The results of the morphological and histological study of the gonads showed the presence of individuals possessing gonads in a state of sex reversal from male to female, where the decline of the male tissue appeared clearly at the expense of the dominance of the female tissue (Figure 5).
![Click here to view Large Figure 6](images/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555963.G006.png)
Protandrous hermaphroditism appeared to be the prevalent sexual pattern in P. bogaraveo, it develops as male, but can later reproduce as female although a fraction of the population never changes sex [10], although a high incidence of gonochorism occurred, as in the wild [1] and cultured [20].
Spawning period
This study showed that the P. bogaraveo had one spawning season that extends from February to June with a clear peak in March for both females and males, (Figure 6), where the peaks of GSI% coincided with the spawning period as determined by the study of maturity stages.
The spawning period in Syrian marine waters extends from March to June (spring season). These results were similar to other studies [20].
Conclusion
The study concluded by determining the peak maturity of males and females in March, and this corresponds to the stages of development of maturation of the male and female gonads. Our study also indicated the identification of the type of sex inversion (Protandry type) in P. bogaraveo, especially since it is the first biological study of this fish species.
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